Mobile milking robot with minimal footprint

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs, wherein the system comprises a milking parlor ramp, livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the milking parlor ramp, wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock, at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat cups and a mobile unit. The mobile unit comprises equipment for treating livestock and a processor, where the mobile unit is configured to travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy livestock on the milking parlor ramp and use the equipment to perform at least one action related to a treatment of the dairy livestock. Also disclosed is that the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect them to the dairy livestock.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/377,221 filed on Apr. 7, 2019, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/533,654, filed on Jun. 7, 2017, which is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/IL2016/051046, International Filing Date Sep. 21, 2016, claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 62/221,116, 62/221,168, 62/221,173, 62/221,189, 62/221,216, 62/221,224, all of which were filed Sep. 21, 2015, wherein all of the above are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of treating livestock. In particular, the present invention is directed to milking, disinfecting and other treatment of dairy livestock using a mobile unit having a minimal footprint. The present invention is further directed to such a mobile unit that moves along a rail or guide. The present invention is further directed to a plurality of such milking robots that are coordinated with one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automated systems for treating dairy livestock are known. For example, robotic milking machines are known. Typically, a milking robot comprises an arm that attaches a milking unit to any type of dairy livestock. Other operations of a milking robot arm may include removing a milking unit from the dairy livestock, placing the milking unit in a housing, etc.

However, known systems and methods suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, the arm of a milking robot travels relatively long distances and covers large spaces. For example, in order to attach a milking unit to the dairy livestock, the arm needs to enter (and exit) the stall containing the livestock. For example, the milk is not milked directly into the main milk-line. For example, a human operator cannot come in close contact with the dairy livestock, due to robot operation. For example, known systems require the assembly of an entire new milking platform or at least require major changes in the existing milking platform, since they cannot be simply included and assembled in any type of existing milking platform. Many of the above detailed drawbacks, as well as others not mentioned, stem from the concept that the animal enters a particular “robotic zone”, in which it is treated, e.g., milked, using industrial robotic arms known in the industry, that are fitted to milking and the like. Therefore, in order to construct such a “robotic zone”, the entire milking parlor needs to be rearranged and industrial robotic arm are used.

Therefore, it would be highly desirable to develop a system for treating, e.g., milking, animals in a milking parlor by actually introducing the robot into the animal's footprint, rather than introducing the animal into a “robotic zone”. This would allow the use of miniature robotic arms that could move swiftly over short distances, and more importantly, it would allow the use of any type of existing milking parlor, without necessitating cumbersome alterations thereto.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs comprising:

-   -   a ramp;     -   livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the ramp,         wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock;     -   at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat         cups;     -   a mobile unit comprising     -   equipment for treating livestock and a processor, the mobile         unit configured to:         -   travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy             livestock on the ramp; and         -   use the equipment to perform at least one action related to             a treatment of the dairy livestock; and     -   wherein the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the         teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect         them to the dairy livestock.

According to some embodiments, the ramp is a rotary milking parlor ramp. According to some embodiments, the ramp is a parallel milking parlor ramp. According to some embodiments, the system includes two parallel ramps or more. According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a parking area configured to contain parked mobile units.

According to some embodiments, at least one vertical upright teat cup holder is positioned between two stalls. According to some embodiments, at least one vertical upright teat cup holder is positioned in line with a space between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a milking pit adjacent to the ramp, wherein at least one vertical upright teat cup holder is positioned, at least partially, in the milking pit. According to some embodiments, at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprises at least one flap for covering the teat cups. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are connected to the main milk line such that the system does not include pressure valves for controlling pressure in the teat cups.

According to some embodiments, the arm comprises a lengthwise double gripper. According to some embodiments, at least two teat cups are of different lengths. According to some embodiments, the system further comprises at least one non-planar leg separator on the ramp in each stall, wherein the at least one non-planar leg separator is positioned between the hind leg of an animal, when standing in the stall.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises an autonomous pre-milking brush that may be utilized manually or by the mobile unit in order to sanitize the animal's teat and to stimulate milk release.

According to some embodiments of the system, the autonomous pre-milking brush comprises:

-   -   at least two brushes;     -   at least one motor;     -   a rechargeable battery;     -   a charging slot;     -   a handle;     -   a switch;     -   a nozzle; and     -   a liquid reservoir.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a post-milking disinfection tool and a filling station, wherein the post-milking disinfection tool comprises a dipping chamber and a filling detection element.

According to some embodiments, the arm is further configured to remove the teat cups from the dairy livestock, after which they are returned to the vertical upright teat cup holder.

According to some embodiments, the teat cups are withdrawn from the upright teat cup holder in a first order and returned thereto in a second order. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are returned to the vertical teat cup holder by a pulling force exerted on tubes connected to the teat cups. According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a milking pit, wherein the mobile unit is configured such that it does not enter the milking pit or does not extend the arm into the milking pit.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs comprising:

-   -   a ramp;     -   livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the ramp,         wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock;     -   a rail stretching along at least part of the ramp;     -   at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat         cups;     -   a mobile unit comprising     -   equipment for treating livestock and a processor, the mobile         unit configured to:         -   travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy             livestock on the ramp and along the rail; and         -   use the equipment to perform at least one action related to             a treatment of the dairy livestock; and     -   wherein the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the         teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect         them to the dairy livestock.

According to some embodiments, the rail provides electricity to the mobile unit under wet and unsanitary conditions and wherein the rail comprises an internal housing that houses contactors and a gliding cart in contact with the contactor, wherein the gliding cart is prepared from a conducting material and is coupled to the mobile unit via a conductive rod.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs comprising:

-   -   a ramp;     -   livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the ramp,         wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock;     -   at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat         cups;     -   a plurality of mobile units, wherein each mobile unit comprises:     -   equipment for treating livestock, communication means and a         processor, and wherein each mobile unit is configured to:         -   travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy             livestock on the ramp;         -   use the equipment to perform at least one action related to             a treatment of the dairy livestock; and         -   coordinate with any other mobile unit, with a central             management unit, with an external communication means, or             any combination thereof;     -   wherein the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the         teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect         them to the dairy livestock.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs comprising:

-   -   a ramp;     -   a rail stretching along at least part of the ramp;     -   livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the ramp,         wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock;     -   at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat         cups;     -   a plurality of mobile units, wherein each mobile unit comprises:     -   equipment for treating livestock, communication means and a         processor, and wherein each mobile unit is configured to:         -   travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy             livestock on the ramp and along the rail;         -   use the equipment to perform at least one action related to             a treatment of the dairy livestock; and         -   coordinate with any other mobile unit, with a central             management unit, with an external communication means, or             any combination thereof;     -   wherein the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the         teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect         them to the dairy livestock.

Embodiments of the invention include a vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat cups, wherein the teat cups comprise holes in which the teats are positioned, and in which the teat cups are positioned vertically upright in the teat cup holder, such that the holes in which the teats are positioned face upwards.

According to some embodiments, the vertical upright teat cup holder comprises at least one flap for covering the holes, such that the teat cups are connected directly to the main milk line through tubes that do not include pressure valves for controlling pressure in the teat cups. According to some embodiments, the vertical upright teat cup holder comprises:

-   -   a first step and a second step being positioned at different         heights, thereby forming a difference in height between the         first step and the second step; and     -   a first teat cup and a second teat cup, each having a top,         wherein there is a difference in length between the first teat         cup and the second teat cup, and wherein the difference in         height between the first step and the second step is         approximately the same as the difference in length between the         first teat cup and the second teat cup, such that when the first         teat cup rests on the first step and the second teat rests on         the second step, the position of the tops of the first and         second teat cups is approximately at the same height.

According to some embodiments, the vertical upright teat cup holder further comprises a manifold attached to tubes leading milk from the teat cups and to another tube leading milk into a main milk line. According to some embodiments, the vertical upright teat cup holder further comprises at least one integrated teat cup and tube separator that protrudes out of the vertical upright teat cup holder.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a teat cup assembly comprising at least a first teat cup and a second teat cup, wherein there is a difference in length between the first teat cup and the second teat cup. According to some embodiments, the teat cups comprise a double groove.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs comprising:

-   -   a ramp;     -   a milking pit;     -   livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the ramp,         wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock;     -   a mobile unit comprising     -   equipment for treating livestock and a processor, the mobile         unit configured to:         -   travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy             livestock on the ramp; and         -   use the equipment to perform at least one action related to             a treatment of the dairy livestock; and     -   wherein the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the         teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect         them to the dairy livestock and wherein the mobile unit is         configured such that it does not enter the milking pit or does         not extend the arm into the milking pit.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to an autonomous pre-milking brush comprising:

-   -   at least two brushes;     -   at least one motor;     -   a rechargeable battery;     -   a charging slot;     -   a handle;     -   a switch;     -   a nozzle; and     -   a liquid reservoir.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical upright teat cup holder designed for use of a human operator and comprising teat cups, wherein the teat cups comprise holes in which the teats are positioned, and in which the teat cups are positioned vertically upright in the teat cup holder, such that the holes in which the teats are positioned face upwards; and wherein the vertical upright teat cup holder comprises at least one flap for covering the holes, such that the teat cups are connected directly to the main milk line through tubes that do not include pressure valves for controlling pressure in the teat cups.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical upright teat cup holder designed for the use of a human operator and comprising teat cups, wherein the teat cups comprise holes in which the teats are positioned, and in which the teat cups are positioned vertically upright in the teat cup holder, such that the holes in which the teats are positioned face upwards, wherein the vertical upright teat cup holder comprises:

-   -   a first step and a second step being positioned at different         heights, thereby forming a difference in height between the         first step and the second step; and     -   a first teat cup and a second teat cup, each having a top,         wherein there is a difference in length between the first teat         cup and the second teat cup, and wherein the difference in         height between the first step and the second step is         approximately the same as the difference in length between the         first teat cup and the second teat cup, such that when the first         teat cup rests on the first step and the second teat rests on         the second step, the position of the tops of the first and         second teat cups is approximately at the same height.

According to some embodiments, the vertical upright teat cup holder further comprises a manifold attached to tubes leading milk from the teat cups and to another tube leading milk into a main milk line.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical upright teat cup holder designed for the use of a human operator and comprising teat cups, wherein the teat cups comprise holes in which the teats are positioned, and in which the teat cups are positioned vertically upright in the teat cup holder, such that the holes in which the teats are positioned face upwards, and wherein the vertical teat cup holder further comprises at least one integrated teat cup and tube separator that protrudes out of the vertical upright teat cup holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding, analogous or similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A schematically shows a mobile unit according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2B schematically presents an engaged configuration of a safety mechanism for a mobile unit according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2C schematically presents a disengaged configuration of a safety mechanism for a mobile unit according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 schematically shows components included in a mobile unit according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a system according to embodiments of the invention in a rotary milking parlor;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C present a system according to embodiments of the invention in a parallel milking parlor, wherein FIG. 5A presents

FIG. 6 shows a system according to embodiments of the invention in a parallel milking parlor, specifically presenting the treatment of the livestock, including attaching treat cups thereto, by a plurality of mobile units;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D present embodiments of the system including rails comprising branches and loops;

FIG. 8 presents an embodiment of the invention including a plurality of mobile units wherein at least one of them communicates with at least one other unit;

FIG. 9 presents an embodiment of the invention including a plurality of mobile units that communicate with a central management unit;

FIG. 10 presents an embodiment of the invention including a plurality of mobile units wherein at least one of them communicates with one other unit and with a central management unit;

FIG. 11 presents an embodiments of the invention including a vertical upright teat cup holder comprising four teat cups, two of which are longer than the others, wherein every pair of teat cups is covered with a flap;

FIG. 12 presents an embodiment of the double gripper;

FIG. 13 presents an embodiment where the mobile unit, positioned under the abdomen of the animal, reaches with a double gripper towards the vertical upright teat cup holder, which is behind the hind legs of the animal;

FIG. 14 presents an embodiment of the double gripper, after having gripped two teat cups;

FIG. 15 presents an embodiment where the double gripper, gripping two teat cups, attaches the first of the two teat cups to the teat of the animal;

FIG. 16 presents an embodiment of the system include a vertical upright teat cup holder comprising tubes, flaps, axels and a piston;

FIG. 17A presents a back-side view of an embodiment of the vertical upright teat cup holder, showing the tubes leading to the main milk line and the axels attached to each two sets of tubes;

FIG. 17B presents a front-side view of an embodiment of the vertical upright teat cup holder, showing a manifold for gathering the milk from the four tubes, as well as wheels, axels and pistons, intended to aid in returning the teat cups into the vertical upright teat cup holder;

FIG. 17C presents a front-side view of an embodiment of the vertical upright teat cup holder, including an integrated teat cup and tube separator;

FIG. 17D presents an embodiment of an integrated teat cup and tube separator;

FIGS. 18A and 18B present embodiments of the non-planar leg separator;

FIGS. 19A and 19B present embodiments of the autonomous pre-milking brush, differing from one another in the shape of their handle;

FIG. 19C presents an embodiment of the autonomous pre-milking brush that includes a liquid reservoir.

FIG. 20 presents an embodiment of the post-milking disinfection tool;

FIG. 21 presents an embodiment of the post milking disinfection tool in the filling station;

FIG. 22A presents an embodiment of the rail providing electricity to the mobile unit under wet and unsanitary conditions;

FIG. 22B presents an embodiment of the rail providing electricity to the mobile unit under wet and unsanitary conditions, wherein the entrance to the rail is protected by a curtain element;

FIG. 23, presents a system according to an embodiment of the invention in a parallel milking parlor, specifically presenting mobile units moving along a rail, wherein the rail includes a parking area designed in an arc-shape;

FIG. 24 presents an embodiment of a hip separator that may be incorporated into the system of the invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B present an embodiment of the arm and gripper of the invention, in the non-extended (FIG. 25A) and extended (FIG. 25B) configurations; and

FIG. 26 presents an embodiment of the arm of the invention, which includes a ball screw and one belt.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity, or several physical components may be included in one functional block or element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that may store instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations and/or processes.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the term “set” when used herein may include one or more items.

It is noted that throughout this document, the definitions of the “parallel milking parlor”, “parallel ramp” and the like, include ramps and milking parlors in which the stalls for confining the animals on the same ramp are at least approximately parallel to one another. Thus, those terms include, what is known in the art as parallel ramps/milking parlors as well as parabone ramps/milking parlors, and any other type of ramp/milking parlor, in which the system may operate.

It is noted that throughout this document, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, the terms “teat cups”, “milking cups” and the like are interchangeable. It is noted that throughout, term such as “vertical upright holder”, “vertical upright teat cup holder”, and the like, are interchangeable unless specifically mentioned otherwise or unless a person skilled in the art would understand that any one of those terms has a different and/or broader definition than the other. In this respect it is noted that the vertical upright teat cup holders are defined herein to hold teat cups that are directly connected to the main milk-line; however, other than being connected to the main milk-line, the teat cups held in the vertical upright teat cup holder are not connected to any robotic arm or the like. It is further emphasized that the teat cups according to this invention are defined to be connected to the main milk-line, though not to any robotic arm or the like. As detailed herein, the teat cups may be held/gripped by a robotic arm of the mobile unit; however, they are not connected thereto.

It is further emphasized that the main milk line, referred to in the art also as the “milk line”, and the like, refers to the milk line leading from various points in the milking parlor to the milking parlor's milk tank, referred to also as the main milk tank.

It is further noted that, throughout, terms such as “communication”, “collaboration”, “coordination” and the like, relevant to the operation of several mobile units in the same system, are interchangeable unless specifically mentioned otherwise, or unless a person skilled in the art would understand that any one of those terms has a different and/or broader definition than the other. In this respect, and as detailed herein, several mobile units may communicate/collaborate/coordinate directly with one another and/or via a central management system or any other appropriate means.

Although dairy livestock (and in particular, cows) are mainly discussed herein, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be applicable to any type of livestock (e.g., goats, sheep, horses etc.). Particularly, even when cows are specifically related to, the embodiments are intended to cover any other type of livestock as well. Although milking of dairy livestock is mainly discussed herein it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be applicable to other operations, or treatments of livestock. For example, treatments, such as, disinfecting or washing the livestock, heating an organ of the livestock and/or milking may all be enabled or performed by a system or method according to embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be applicable to operations such as; diagnostic measures, acquiring an image, testing for pregnancy or capturing a heartbeat of a fetus and/or identifying the livestock.

Embodiments of the invention may include a system and method for treating livestock. The term “treating” includes treatments such as, milking, disinfecting, administering medicaments, and/or testing and/or diagnosing, and the like. In particular, embodiments of the invention may include a system and method directed to milking, disinfecting and other treatments and/or testing of dairy livestock. An embodiment of a system may include a ramp for containing dairy livestock and one or more mobile units configured to travel on the ramp, below the abdomen, i.e., between the front and hind legs of the dairy livestock, and perform at least one action related to a treatment of the dairy livestock. In this respect it is noted that throughout the application, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, when the terms “under the livestock” “below the livestock” or similar terms are used, they refer to a mobile unit found on the same geometric plane as the livestock, i.e., on the same ramp, platform, rail or guide attached to the ramp, and the like, while being positioned, at least partially, under the belly/abdomen of the livestock, between the fore and hind legs thereof.

An action performed by a mobile unit may be, or may include, milking, disinfecting, cleaning the ramp, washing the livestock, acquiring an image, identifying the livestock, testing for pregnancy, capturing a heartbeat of a fetus, taking blood and/or milk samples and heating an organ of the livestock. According to some embodiments, the mobile unit comprises an arm that may be operated to perform any necessary actions, such as gripping equipment, sensing the location of equipment, moving equipment from one location to another and the like. The arm itself may be equipped with any necessary equipment, such as a gripping unit, a sensor and the like, allowing the arm to perform any necessary actions.

An embodiment of a system may include a ramp adapted to translate both the livestock and the mobile unit, e.g., in a rotary milking parlor. According to other embodiments, the ramp is stationary, such as in a parallel milking parlor. include An embodiment of a system may include a ramp configured to house a milking equipment unit and a mobile unit may be adapted to detach the milking equipment unit from a housing unit and attach the milking equipment unit to dairy livestock. Particularly, according to the system of the invention, the teat cups may be positioned in holders, such that they are considered to be part of the platform, ramp or stall, not part of the mobile unit. Accordingly, milk entering the teat cups may be transferred, as detailed below, directly into the main milk-line. It is further noted that other than the teat cups and the main milk-line, any other equipment in the milking parlor may also be used in the system of the invention, e.g., by the mobile units, as required, such as the vacuum line, vacuum tank, vacuum pulsator, pre-cooling tank, milk tank, milk meter, milking point controller, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the system of the invention includes a platform or ramp that is divided into stalls, wherein each stall is intended for one animal. As known in the art, in a rotary milking parlor the stalls are arranged in a circle on a rotating platform/ramp, wherein a milking pit surrounds the rotating platform. In a parallel milking parlor, the stalls are arranged in two parallel lines, wherein the milking pit is found between those two parallel lines of stalls.

According to some embodiments, the teat cup holders are positioned at a pre-designated location, wherein each stall has a designated teat cup holder. According to some embodiments, the teat cup holders, as well as holders for any other necessary equipment or substances, are positioned such that when an animal enters the stall, the holder is about in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal. According to some embodiments, the teat cup holders, as well as holders for any other necessary equipment or substances, are positioned between every two stalls, wherein an additional holder may be positioned before the first stall or after the last stall, such that each stall has a designated holder. According to some embodiments, any of the holders, holding the same or different equipment, may be positioned about in line with the space between the back legs of an animal, when confined to the stall. According to some embodiments, some of the holders are positioned about in line with the space between the back les of an animal confined to the stall while other holders may be positioned between two stalls.

According to some embodiments, the holders do not extend into the milking pit. According to other embodiments, the holders extend into the milking pit by up to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 cm. according to some embodiments, each stall is designated with at least one holder, though the designated holders may be positioned inside, partially outside, or fully outside of the stall itself, e.g., in the milking pit. According to some embodiments, when the holders are positioned in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal, they are positioned in the milking pit. According to some embodiments, in a rotary milking parlor the holders are positioned between the stalls. According to some embodiments, in a parallel milking parlor, the holders are positioned about in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal confined to the stall, protruding, at least partially, into the milking pit. According to some embodiments, in a parallel milking parlor, at least part of the holders are positioned fully in the milking pit about in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal on the ramp.

According to some embodiments, the position and/or height of the holders may change during operation. According to some embodiments, while the animals enter the stalls, the holders may be positioned, at least partially, in or over the milking pit, such that the entrance of the animals into the stalls is not hindered by the holders. Once the animals are positioned in the stalls, the holders may remain in their position (between the stalls or about in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal, though, at least partially, in or over the milking pit), from where the mobile unit will remove the necessary equipment. According to such an embodiment, the arm of the mobile unit extends into the milking pit by up to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 cm, as necessary, for reaching the equipment or substances in the holders. According to other embodiments, once the animals are positioned in the stalls, the position of the holders may be changed, such that they move, at least partially, from the milking pit, into a position between the stalls, or between the hind legs of the animal, on the platform/ramp. According to such an embodiment, the arm of the mobile unit may not extend into the milking pit. According to some embodiments, all of the holders move at the same time. According to other embodiments, each one of the holders may move, in or out of the position between the stalls/hind legs of the animal, at a designated time, e.g., when the equipment therein, e.g., teat cups, is to be reached by a mobile unit or when the livestock enter, are positioned in, or leave the stalls. According to some embodiments, the holders may have folded and unfolded configurations, such that their angle, in respect to their surroundings, e.g. the ramp or stalls, may be altered, as necessary. The change in configuration of the holders may be performed by the same or by other means as the change in their positions and further, the configuration change may be performed on all holders together or differently on different holders, the same as described regarding the position of the holders.

According to some embodiments, the movement of the holders is performed by any appropriate means, which may be mechanical, manual, electronic or automatic. According to some embodiments, the movement of the holders is initiated according to any signal received from any appropriate sensors, which may be either part of the milking platform or of the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, any one of the mobile units may grab any part of any one of the holders and either pull it, at least partially, into the ramp or push it, at least partially, away from the ramp. Similarly, according to any of the embodiments detailed above relevant to height, the height of the holders may change during operation, so that, regardless of their initial height, when the mobile unit reaches to withdraw/replace a teat cup (or any other equipment) from/in the holder, the height of the holders is lower than the animals' abdomen. According to some embodiments, the height of the holders is set to be constantly lower than the bottom of the livestock's abdomen. According to some embodiments, the height of the holders may be altered by any automatic, mechanical, electronic, or manual means, wherein, at least one position of the holders is at a height that is lower than the bottom of the livestock's abdomen. According to other embodiments, the height of the holders is not below the animal's abdomen; however, the holders are positioned at any appropriate position, including height, so that they can be reached by the mobile unit, e.g., when the mobile unit is positioned under the animal.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to vertical upright teat cup holders. Typically, as known to those familiar with the art, the teat cups in the milk cup holders are upside down, such that when the teat cups are withdrawn from the holders, they are flipped (i.e., turned over) by about 180° in order to attach them to the animals' udder. According to some embodiments, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 11, the holders according to this invention are vertical upright holders, such that the teat cups are positioned therein with the hole, in which the animal's teat is placed, facing upwards. Such upright teat cup holders enable a mobile unit to withdraw the teat cups from the teat cup holders and attach them directly to the animal, with only slight adjustment of the position of the hole, such that the mobile unit is not required to flip the teat cups by 180°. This may enable the procedures performed by the mobile unit to be simple, fast and inexpensive.

According to some embodiments, the teat cups in the teat cup holders are covered by at least one flap, wherein the flap may prevent the entrance of undesired matter into the teat cups. The flap may be considered to be part of the holder, such that when a teat cup is withdrawn from the holder, it is withdrawn from under the flap, and is no longer covered. According to some embodiments, each holder includes one flap, covering all of the teat cups in the holder. According to some embodiments, each holder includes two flaps, each covering half of the teat cups, e.g., each covering two out of four teat cups. According to some embodiments, each teat cup is covered by its own flap. According to some embodiments, the flaps may be replaced by any other appropriate element, either part of the holder or of any other element in the milking parlor, which prevents the entrance of unwanted matter into the teat cups and/or the loss of vacuum during attachments of the teat cups to the animals, as detailed herein.

According to some embodiments, other than preventing the entrance of unwanted matter into the teat cups, the flaps may also prevent the loss of vacuum during the attachment of the teat cups to the animal. Typically, the line/tube leading from each teat cup includes a valve, such that the vacuum in each teat cup is controlled separately. According to some embodiments, any two teat cups may be connected to the main milk line via the same valve. According to some embodiments, each two teat cups may be connected to the main milk line via one valve. According to some embodiments, all of the teat cups are connected to the main milk line via one valve. According to some embodiments, all of or at least some of the teat cups are connected directly to the main milk line, without any valves. It is noted that embodiments having teat cups connected directly to the main milk line include embodiments in which the teat cups are connected to the main milk line via milk monitors, meters and the like. Thus, the flap mechanically holds the vacuum in the teat cups covered by it. When removing any of the teat cups from the holder, the vacuum in the remaining teat cups is preserved mechanically by the flap/s, such that the teat cups withdrawn from the holder may be attached to the animal's udder, maintaining the vacuum therein once attached. According to some embodiments, once attached to the animals' udder, the teat cups will remain attached during the time in which the remaining teat cups are withdrawn from the holder, i.e., from under the flap/s, until they are attached to the udder as well, even though vacuum is not maintained, since the period of time during which the vacuum is not maintained is short and further, since already attached to the udder, the teat cups, which are fitted to the udder, will not fall off so quickly.

Once the milking is concluded, the teat cups are removed from the animal's udder and returned to the holder. A signal that the milking process has been concluded may be received by any appropriate part of the system by any electronic or mechanical means known in the art. According to other embodiments, once the milking is concluded, the teat cups are returned to the holder automatically, mechanically, electronically, by human operators, by any other appropriate means or by any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are removed from the udder and returned to the holder by the mobile unit. According to some embodiment, the tubes attaching the teat cups to the main milk-line pass by any number of wheels, pulleys and the like, in order to allow smooth and easy motion of the tubes, thereby allowing the teat cups to be easily withdrawn from and returned to the holder. According to some embodiments, the teat cups themselves move adjacent to any number of wheels, pulleys and the like, in order to reduce friction. The wheels, pulleys and the like may further guide the teat cups and the tubes along a certain desired path.

According to some embodiments, every one of the teat cups is attached to one tube, which in turn is attached to a piston, motor or the like, which is designed to return the teat cup to the holder once the milking is concluded. According to other embodiments, any number of tubes may be externally connected to one another by any appropriate means, such as an axle, wherein each axle is connected to a motor, piston or the like, which is designed cup to the holder once the milking is concluded. According to some embodiments, every two tubes are externally connected, allowing the removal of the teat cups in pairs and further allowing the system to include half the number removal motors/pistons, for removing the teat cups, as the number of teat cups. According to some embodiments, it is noted that although any number of tubes may be connected to one another, allowing removal in pairs or more, the holder and system are designed such that the attachment of the teat cups to the animal is not dependent on the removal of the teat cups therefrom. Thus, even if withdrawn in pairs or more, the teat cups may be attached one by one, or attached in pairs or more, though not necessarily the same pairs or more of teat cups, as removed.

According to some embodiments, the holder is designed such that it may be operated and used by a mobile unit and/or by a human operator. Thus, the holder may be designed to allow the teat cups to be withdrawn therefrom and returned thereto one-by-one, all together, in pairs or in any appropriate combination, depending on the operator. The holder may further allow enough room for the hands of a human operator to utilize any parts of the holder as well as the held equipment, e.g., teat cups, while at the same time, be designed such that a mobile unit may simply utilize any parts thereof, such that the teat cups are withdrawn therefrom/returned thereto in an orderly manner. For example, the holder is designed such that when the teat cups are returned to the holder, they are held upright and covered by the flaps, thereby preventing the loss of vacuum as well as preventing the entrance of undesired matter into the main milk line. For example, the holder is designed such that the teat cups are held therein in parallel and/or vertical lines, allowing any type of robotic or human operator to withdraw/return the teat cups in pairs or more, without requiring unnecessary maneuvers.

According to some embodiments, the holder is designed to allow the teat cups to be placed therein in parallel, vertical or staggered lines. According to some embodiments, the holder is designed to allow the teat cups to be placed therein, such that the bottom of the teat cups is staggered. According to some embodiments, the holder includes a step, indentation or the like, allowing the bottom of the teat cups to be staggered. According to some embodiments, a tube leading to the main milk line is connected to the teat cup, such that the tube is on the bottom back side of the teat cup, i.e., the bottom of the side directed away from the animal. An example of such a teat cup may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 11. Allowing the teat cups to be held in the holders when their bottoms are staggered, e.g., by placing the teat cups on designated steps in the holder, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 11, allows the tubes connected to each teat cup to be under/above the tubes connected to the teat cup sitting on the next step in the holder, thereby preventing the entanglement of the tubes. According to some embodiments, the holder includes one step, such that the bottom part of the front teat cups, i.e., the teat cups in the direction of the animal, is lower than the bottom part of the back teat cups, i.e., the teat cups further from the animal, e.g., as shown in FIG. 11. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are positioned in the holder in pairs, such that the front teat cup in each pair, i.e., the teat cup closer to the animal, is placed on a lower step than the back teat cups. Therefore, the tube connected to the front teat cup is positioned under the tube connected to the back teat cup. Stated otherwise, each pair of teat cups may be designed to rest of two steps different in height from one another, wherein the height difference between the two steps may be at least similar to the difference in length of the two teat cups, such that when resting on the steps, the bottoms of the teat cups are staggered, while the tops thereof are not, as detailed herein.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to teat cups designed to fit the holder and to allow any type of operator to simply withdraw the teat cups from the holder and to return them thereto. According to some embodiments, the teat cups comprise any number of grooves or the like, allowing the arm of the mobile unit, as detailed herein, to easily grasp the teat cups.

As detailed herein, the holder may include at least one step, or the like, such that the bottoms of the teat cups are staggered. Accordingly, if the teat cups are all the same size, the tops thereof would be staggered as well. According to some embodiments, the set of teat cups held together in the same holder are designed such that the tops of any number of teat cups may be at approximately the same height, even if the bottom of those teat cups is staggered. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are designed such that the height of the different teat cups may be different from one another, thereby allowing the bottoms of any two teat cups to be staggered, while the tops thereof are not.

As shown in FIG. 11, at least two teat cups may be staggered at the bottom when positioned in the holder, as detailed herein, wherein the front teat cup is longer than the back teat cup, thereby allowing the tops of the two teat cups to be positioned at approximately the same height, even though the bottoms are staggered. This may allow the two (or more) teat cups to be covered by the same flap. This may further allow the removal of a pair of teat cups from the holder by a mobile unit, wherein the tubes thereof do not tangle, since they are staggered at the bottom, while still allowing the mobile unit to “see” the tops of both of the teat cups, e.g., by laser, such that the mobile unit may properly grasp both teat cups, as detailed herein. It is noted that although the staggering of the teat cups is described mainly for a pair or teat cups, the same type of staggering may be used for any number of appropriate teat cups.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a plurality of teat cups wherein at least two teat cups have different lengths. According to some embodiments, the teat cups having different lengths are positioned one behind the other in the holders, wherein the front of the holder is considered to be in the direction of the animal. According to some embodiments, when positioned in the holders, the bottoms of the teat cups having different lengths are staggered, possibly resting on steps of different heights, wherein the height of the steps is determined such that the tops of the teat cups are approximately at the same height. Thus, the difference in length between the teat cups may be approximately identical to the difference in height of the steps on which the teat cups are positioned. Although steps are referred to herein, it is noted that any other means, such as clips and the like may be used in order to position the teat cups in the holder, such that they are staggered at the bottom, though not at the top.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to teat cups comprising more than one groove, hook, handle, indentation, notch and the like, which are designed such that a gripping unit on the arm of the mobile may easily grasp the teat cup, as detailed herein.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical teat cup holder, in which the teat cups are positioned vertically upright, wherein the holes in which the teats are positioned face upwards, as detailed herein, comprising:

-   -   a first step and a second step being positioned at different         heights;     -   a first teat cup and a second teat cup, each having a top,         wherein there is a difference in length between the first teat         cup and the second teat cup, and wherein the difference in         height between the first step and the second step is         approximately the same as the difference in length between the         first teat cup and the second teat cup, such that when the first         teat cup rests on the first step and the second teat rests on         the second step, the position of the tops of the first and         second teat cups is approximately at the same height;     -   a flap covering the tops of the first and second teat cups; and     -   first and second tubes leading from the first and second teat         cups, respectively, to the main milk line, wherein the first         tube is positioned, at least partially, under the second tube.

According to some embodiments, in order to allow smooth and easy movement of the teat cups in and out of the holder, the system includes any appropriate number of smooth surfaces, wheels, ball-bearings, rollers and the like, positioned inside and/or outside of the holder, along the paths in which the teat cups and/or tubes move when the teat cups are withdrawn/returned to the holder.

A mobile unit may be adapted to determine its location and, based on its location, it may determine the location of any necessary equipment or substances, including a milking equipment unit, such as teat cups or teat cup holders, sanitizing fluid, cleaning brushes and the like. A plurality of mobile units and optionally a central management unit may be configured to dynamically cause at least some of the plurality of mobile units to each perform a portion of a treatment or task. A first mobile unit may be adapted to attach a first portion of a milking unit to the dairy livestock and a second mobile unit may be adapted to attach a second portion of the milking equipment to the dairy livestock. According to other embodiments, and as detailed herein, a plurality of mobile units and optionally a central management unit may be configured such that each of the mobile units performs the entire treatment or task in a certain, designated, number of stalls. According to further embodiments, some of a plurality of mobile units performs part of a task, while others operate in part of the stalls. In this respect it is noted that any combination and coordination between the various mobile units is possible, wherein their overall operation is intended to perform the overall required treatment or task.

An embodiment of a system may include a ramp that includes a guide or rail designed to keep the mobile unit within or on a predefined path under the livestock. An embodiment of a system may include a ramp that includes stalls and a mobile unit may be adapted to automatically travel from a first stall to a second stall. A ramp may include a mark and a mobile unit may be adapted to use the mark in order to determine its location with respect to a stall, the ramp and/or other entities in the milking parlor. A mobile unit may be configured to travel between the front and hind legs of the livestock and the rail may be configured to maintain the mobile unit on a predefined path that passes between the front and hind legs of the livestock, when they are positioned in the stalls.

According to some embodiments, once the livestock are positioned in the stalls, ready for milking, the mobile units may enter the ramp and move between the stalls, performing tasks, as detailed herein. Particularly, the tasks may be performed while the mobile units are positioned/parked under the livestock. According to some embodiments, the mobile units move into their “work-mode” position under the livestock only after the location of the livestock has been determined, according to any appropriate means, such as sensors and the like, which may be part of any element of the milking parlor. As detailed herein, the mobile unit itself may include any type of sensors, which may aid in determining the exact location of the livestock and/or the position of the mobile unit in relation to the livestock. According to some embodiments, the mobile units include any appropriate type of sensor, which prevents the mobile unit, or any part thereof, from colliding with other mobile and/or stationary entities in the milking parlor. According to some embodiments, the mobile unit includes an arm equipped with such a sensor.

According to some embodiments, the system includes a rail or guide, along which the mobile units may travel, such that they are confined to a predefined path, wherein the rail/guide may be positioned to run along at least part of the length of the ramp/platform approximately in the mid-line between the front and hind legs of the livestock. It is noted that throughout, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, the terms “guide” and “rail” are interchangeable and include any elements that may maintain the mobile units within or on a predefined path. It is noted that any type of rail may be used, including a monorail, double rail, flat rail, rail using a magnetic guide and the like. It is further noted that the rail may be prepared from any appropriate type of material, such as a metal, a polymer or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the rail is designed such that it is strong enough to resist deformation caused by the livestock stepping on the rail, kicking it and the like. Thus, both the shape (e.g., width) and the material from which the rail is prepared take the forces that will be exerted on the rail into account.

Implementing a rail, according to embodiments of the invention, may ensure that the mobile units remain on a predefined path, such that collisions of the mobile units with the livestock, human operators, other mobile units or other entities in the milking parlor, either mobile or stationary, are minimized. The path of the rail may be set such that it does not enter the most “kick prone” zones on the ramp, which may be around the hind legs of the animal, particularly in back of them, thereby limiting the damage to both the mobile units and the livestock. According to some embodiments, once the rail has been in position on the ramp over a certain period of time, the animals will refrain from placing their hooves on the rail, ensuring both animal and mobile unit safety, as well as allowing the mobile unit to increase its speed along the rail without harming the mobile unit or any of the animals on the ramp. According to some embodiments, the rail provides the mobile units with stability, i.e., since the mobile units are attached to a rail, a strong force may be required to “derail” them, when not desired, and therefore, even if the mobile units are hit, e.g., by an animal kick, they remain on their designated path.

According to some embodiments, when the mobile units move along a rail, their speed may be increased since, as detailed above, the rail may provide the mobile units with stability, and further, since, as detailed above, the risk of collisions is decreased when the mobile units are confined to a rail. The increase in speed of the mobile units may reduce the overall treatment, e.g., milking, time. According to some embodiments, the speed of the mobile units is in the range of about 0-2 m/s. According to some embodiments, the speed of the mobile units is in the range of about 0-3 m/s. According to some embodiments, the speed of the mobile units is in the range of about 0-1 m/s.

According to some embodiments, the system may be designed such that the mobile units have different working and security modes that differ from one another, e.g., in the speed of the mobile unit, the use of the arm of the mobile unit, the extension distance of the arm of the mobile unit and the like. Thus, according to some embodiments, the mobile units speeds, as detailed above, are defined for the working mode of the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, the mobile unit further includes a security mode. In the security mode the speed of the mobile unit may be in the range of about 0-0.25 m/s.

According to some embodiments, when in the security mode, the mobile unit does not perform actions, and therefore, does not extend/retract its arm. According to some embodiments, limited extensions and/or retractions of the mobile unit arm are allowed in the security mode. According to some embodiments, in the security mode, the arm may extend/retract up to 10% of its maximal extension/retraction capability. According to some embodiments, in the security mode, the arm may extend/retract up to 20% of its maximal extension/retraction capability. According to some embodiments, in the security mode, the arm may extend/retract up to 30% of its maximal extension/retraction capability. According to some embodiments, in the security mode, the arm may extend/retract up to 40% of its maximal extension/retraction capability. According to some embodiments, in the security mode, the arm may extend/retract up to 50% of its maximal extension/retraction capability.

According to some embodiments, the mode of the mobile units is changed from working mode to security mode, or vice versa, by manually pressing a button, flipping a switch, a magnetic sensor, or the like, wherein the button/switch may be on the mobile unit, on the teat cup holder, in any location on the ramp, in the milking parlor or in a control center remotely positioned. According to some embodiments, the mode of the mobile units is changed from working mode to security mode, or vice versa, by an electronic command sent to the mobile unit from any appropriate remote device, possible via the guide/rail, as detailed herein, via RF, Bluetooth, WiFi or the like.

According to some embodiments, the use of the rail further allows immediate or quick halts of the mobile unit when necessary, e.g., in a particular stall, in an accurate position along the rail and the like. The mobile unit may be pre-programmed to stop at certain positions, or otherwise, may stop according to data received during operation.

It this respect it is noted that the system of the invention is a modular system, which may include any number of mobile units and a rail/guide comprising any number and length of sections. Accordingly, the system of the invention may be assembled in any type of existing milking parlor, e.g. a rotary milking parlor or a parallel milking parlor. According to some embodiments, in a rotary milking parlor, the guide/rail is positioned on the circular platform/ramp, from the first to the last stall, possibly completing the circle. According to some embodiments, it a parallel milking parlor, the guide/rail is placed on each one of the parallel platforms/ramps, stretching from one end of the platform to the other. It is noted that the guide/rail may be designed to include any required branches, loops and the like, used, for example, for removing a mobile unit from the platform at any necessary point along the platform, and the like. According to some embodiments, the rail may include linking units, which link together two or more rail sections. According to some embodiments, the various rail sections and linking units may be easily and quickly assembled (or disassembled) into any required length and/or shape of rail, wherein, although the rail composes several sections/linking units, they are designed and attached such that the mobile units smoothly move from section to section along the rail, after assembled. According to some embodiments, when required or desired, any section/linking unit may be replaced, removed or added.

Since the system of the invention is modular, it may also be assembled in any milking parlor, regardless of the size or type of the milking parlor. Generally, a larger milking parlor would be equipped with a system including a larger number of mobile units and well as a longer overall length of rail/guide. The system of the invention may also be provided with a varying number of mobile units, such that at times a certain number of mobile units may be used, while at other times a different number of mobile units may be used.

The rail may be connected by any appropriate means to the ramp or to any other elements in the milking platform, such that the mobile units may travel thereon and such that the rail itself does not hinder the movements of the animals on the ramp, e.g., as they enter and exit the stalls. According to some embodiments, the rail is designed to be adjacent to the ramp. According to some embodiments, at least the top of the rail is designed to be raised above the ramp. According to some embodiments, the top of the rail is raised by about 8-20 cm above the ramp. According to some embodiments, the top of the rail is raised by about 5-10 cm above the ramp. According to some embodiments, the top of the rail is raised by about 10-15 cm above the ramp. According to some embodiments, the top of the rail is raised by about 15-20 cm above the ramp. According to some embodiments, when the top of the rail is raised above the ramp, the area beneath the ramp may be cleaned, as detailed herein. According to some embodiments, the top surface of the rail may be flush with the surface of the ramp, wherein the rest of the rail is sunken in the ramp. According to some embodiments, the entire rail, including the top surface thereof, is sunken into the ramp. Designated cleaning means, as detailed herein, may be designed to clean the rail and/or its surroundings.

According to some embodiments, the rail includes means by which electricity is provided to the mobile units. Accordingly, the mobile units are not required to include a battery pack, which would increase their size and weight, as well as require charging or replacement. Further, if electricity is provided by the rail, there is no need for attaching electric cables to the mobile units, which may be hazardous to the mobility of the livestock, may be tangled by the motion of the mobile unit and may further be cumbersome when more than one mobile unit is used. According to some embodiments, the electricity is provided from the rail to the mobile units by any appropriate pickup design. According to some embodiments, the electricity providing means may be included within the rail, attached to the outside of the rail, adjacent to the rail, or any other appropriate design. According to some embodiments, the electricity providing means may provide electricity to the mobile units, as well as to any other mobile or stationary entities.

Similarly to the means for providing electricity by the rail, electronic wires may be included in the system, such that electronic commands are forwarded to the mobile units via the rail. Therefore, throughout, the description regarding the rail directed to electricity transfer is meant to include electronic data transfer as well, when applicable.

According to some embodiments, the rail is assembled on the same ramp upon which the livestock move, and therefore, the rail is prone to get both wet and dirty. Thus, if the rail includes means for providing electricity to the mobile units, those means must be designed to be liquid-proof, so as to prevent electricity shorts and the like. The rail and the electricity providing means may further be designed to prevent liquids or undesired solids and contaminants from entering certain parts or elements of the rail/electricity providing means. According to some embodiments, the positive and negative poles of the electricity providing means may be designed to be at a minimal distance, such as to prevent the entrance of liquids into the space between the two. According to some embodiments, the electricity providing means have a labyrinth shape, so as to prevent, or at least minimize, the introduction of liquids, undesired solids and contaminants into the electrical systems. According to some embodiments, the electricity providing means may include a pickup unit, such as a brush, which is designed to contact a metal strip. According to some embodiments, the metal strip is installed along the ramp, possibly under the rail, while the pickup unit, such as a brush, is attached to a mobile unit, or any other entity moving along the rail. It is noted that electricity may be provided to the mobile unit at all times, both when mobile and when parked, as necessary. The electricity may also be cut off at any appropriate times, e.g., during maintenance, or when no treatment is being performed and the like.

According to some embodiments, the rail includes an internal housing unit through which the electricity is provided to the mobile unit, e.g., via contactors. According to some embodiments, a gliding cart is positioned in the internal housing unit and is attached by a rod or the like to the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, the gliding cart and the rod are prepared from a conductive material (either the same or different materials), wherein the gliding cart receives electricity by any appropriate means inside the internal housing unit, such as contactors and the like. The electricity may be passed from the gliding cart via the rod to the mobile unit, thereby activating any appropriate motors in the mobile unit. When the mobile unit moves forward or backwards along the rail, it may essentially move together with the gliding cart since they are connected to one another via the rod or the like. Thus, according to some embodiments, the gliding cart provides electricity to the mobile unit, while the mobile unit provides mobility to the gliding cart, which, according to some embodiments does not include its own motors and therefore, moves together with the mobile unit.

According to some embodiments, in order to prevent water and other contaminants from entering the electric system in the internal housing, the rod may pass through a water block, a rubber stopper, and the like, or any combination thereof. Further, according to some embodiments, the rod, which is isolated, enters the internal housing via a labyrinth shaped element, thereby preventing the entrance of water or other contaminants into the internal housing unit.

Other than electricity, the rail, or any sections thereof, may include elements for communicating and/or giving commands to any components in the system, including the mobile units. According to some embodiments, the rail includes means for specifically and accurately defining the position of the mobile units moving thereon and/or of any other entities in the milking parlor.

It if further noted that, although the rail is described herein as an element for guiding mobile units, it may be used for transporting any other elements, devices and/or substances, such as to convey water or any other liquid along the ramp, and the like. For example, a reservoir of pre- or post-milking disinfection liquid may be conveyed along the rail, where it may be reached, e.g., by any one of the mobile units performing the pre- or post-milking tasks. According to some embodiments, any sections of the rail may include elements such as a conveyer belt for conveying the mobile units, or any other entities, from one point to another. Hoses, pipes, conduits and the like may also be stretched along the rail or any parts thereof, wherein any liquid, such as water and the like, may be provided as required through such hoses/pipes/conduits.

According to some embodiments, the rail may include a self-cleaning mechanism. According to some embodiments, the ramp includes means for cleaning the rail. According to some embodiments, cleaning elements may be attached to or integrated into any sections of the rail. According to some embodiments, cleaning elements may be attached to or integrated into any of the components, e.g., mobile units, or designating cleaning units, that travel along the rail. According to some embodiments, cleaning equipment, which is part of the milking parlor, may be used for cleaning the rail. According to some embodiments, in a rotary milking platform, cleaning liquid sprayed from a stationary nozzle may be used to clean the rail. According to some embodiments, if the rail is raised above the ramp, it is possible to clean under the rail. The rail, its surroundings, and in some embodiments, the area under the rail, may be cleaned by any appropriate means, including manually, automatically, mechanically or electronically. Further, the rail, its surroundings and in some embodiments, the area under the rail may be cleaned at any appropriate time, e.g., at pre-defined times or when required, as determined according to any appropriate sensors, which may be part of the ramp/milking parlor/mobile unit or the like, or according to decisions made by human operators.

It is further noted that since the milk may be milked directly into the main milk-line and further, since several mobile units may be used, as detailed below, the efficiency of the system of the invention, measured in milk yield per hour, is higher than in prior art systems in which milk needs to be transferred from one or more storage vessels to the main milk-line, and/or when only one operator (robotic or other) is implemented. It is further noted, that, as detailed herein, the arm of the mobile unit has relatively small dimensions, since it needs to fit and maneuver under the livestock. Further, since the arm may remain mainly within “non-kick” zones and further, may include a safety mechanism, as detailed herein, it is not required to be robust. Small arms may perform quick maneuvers, even if equipped only with small motors, which may also contribute to a high milking yield. It is further noted, that as detailed herein, a number of mobile units may coordinate with one another, possibly via a central management system or any other appropriate element, such that the speed required from each mobile unit may also be reduced.

It is further noted that, as detailed herein, the mobile units remain on the ramp or in other designated areas, such as parking areas, and do not enter non-designated areas, e.g., the milking pit. Accordingly, human operators may safely access any other region of the milking parlor, including the milking pit, as detailed herein, which may be essential for treating any mobile unit malfunctions, as well as livestock that need manual treatment and the like. It is further noted that since the arm of the mobile unit is not robust, even if contacted or collided with a human operator or with any other elements in the milking parlor, the outcome may not be hazardous.

According to some embodiments, the arm of the mobile unit extends into the milking pit at predetermined times and/or up to predetermined distances. In order to provide safety to humans in the milking pit, the system may include safety means, preventing the entrance of a human into the part of the milking pit in which the mobile unit arm may reach. The safety means may be stationary or may move, such that when the arm enters the pit, or at times in which the arm may enter the pit, the safety means are in positioned to block contact between human operators and mobile units, while when the arm does not enter the pit, or at times when it will not enter the pit, the safety means may be positioned otherwise. For example the system may include a barrier that is positioned in the milking pit, at the maximal distance that the arm may extend into the milking pit. According to some embodiments, the barrier may change positioned, according to any received signals, such that when mobile unit arm may enter the milking pit the barrier is in place, blocking contact between human operators and the arm of the mobile unit, while at other times it is lifted or removed by any other appropriate means. It is noted in this respect that, when required, any element of the mobile unit, not only the arm, may extend into the milking pit, which remains safe for humans as detailed above.

According to some embodiments, if any part of the mobile unit, teat cup holders or the like is positioned, at least at certain times, in non-designated areas, such as the milking pit, safety mean may be included in the system as detailed above, such that when any part of the mobile unit, teat cup holder or the like, moves, a human operator found in the non-designated area will not be harmed. For example, a bar may separate between the human operator and the mobile unit, teat cup holder, and the like. The bar may have several positions, as necessary. Any other covers, barriers, and the like may be used in order to allow the human operator to safely be in the same area as at least part of the mobile unit, teat cup holder and the like. For example, the back to the teat cup holder may be covered, such that, even when various elements thereof move, a human operator would not be harmed.

An embodiment of a system may include a maintenance area (related to herein also as a maintenance pit) for servicing mobile units. A mobile unit may travel from a guide or rail to a service or maintenance area. A first mobile unit may be adapted or caused to complete an action that at least one other mobile unit failed to complete. A mobile unit may include sensors and/or treatment units.

According to some embodiments, the system includes a parking area for the mobile units. The parking area and the maintenance area may be the same, different or overlapping areas. According to some embodiments, while the livestock enters the ramp/platform, the mobile unit remains stationary in the parking area. Once the livestock have finished being positioned in the stalls, the mobile unit leaves the parking area and enters the ramp, in order the treat the cows, as described herein. Thus, when the livestock are mobile, the mobile units may remain stationary, e.g., in the predefined parking area, and when the mobile units are mobile, the livestock remain relatively stationary, e.g., confined to the predefined areas of the stalls. Once the mobile units finish performing their task, e.g., milking, they may return to the parking area. Once the mobile units are in the parking area, the livestock may be allowed to leave the stalls. The designated parking area may be large enough to park as many mobile units as may be used in the particular milking parlor. Such a setup minimizes collisions between the livestock and the mobile units, as well as any possible fright that might be caused to the livestock, due to the movements of the mobile units. According to some embodiments, the rail that stretches along the ramp reaches, by extended length or by a branch/loop in the rail, or the like, into the parking area, such that the mobile units may easily move along the rail from the ramp into the parking area and vice versa. According to some embodiments, the rail may be designed to include any number of loops, U shapes and the like, within the parking area in order to allow a plurality of mobile units to be positioned thereon.

An embodiment of a system may include a central management unit adapted to instruct or cause a mobile unit to perform an action and/or to coordinate the operation of various elements in the system with one another, including the coordination of a plurality of mobile units. It is noted that a plurality of mobile units may be used to simultaneously treat more than one animal. It is further noted that any one of the mobile units in a plurality of mobile units may preform part of the treatment of the livestock, while other mobile units perform other parts of the treatment. It is further noted that each one of the mobile units may fully treat one of the animals, while the other mobile units treat other animals. Thus, by using a plurality of mobile units, the efficiency of the system may be optimized, regarding the time necessary for completing the treatment, the amount and type of equipment any one of the mobile units is required to use or carry and the like.

If any one of the mobile units is intended to perform a certain task, possibly part of the overall required treatment, that mobile unit may be fitted with any appropriate equipment. Thus, not all mobile units must be identical to one another. For example, the end of the arm of each mobile unit may be fitted with an appropriate arm element, possibly at the distal end of the arm. For example, any one of the mobile units may be fitted with cleaning/disinfecting equipment, including brushes, hoses, nozzles, valves, cleaning or disinfecting liquids and the like. For example, any one of the mobile units may be fitted with an arm element that may grip equipment, such as teat cups, brushes and the like. According to some embodiments, such an arm element is related to herein as a gripping element, gripping unit or the like.

According to some embodiments, the arm element, or any other detachable equipment on the mobile unit, may be attached/detached from the mobile unit when necessary, e.g., by a human operator, by another mobile unit, by the mobile unit itself, or by any other entity in the milking parlor. Changing the equipment may be before, during or after the treatment of the livestock. Changing the equipment may change the role of the mobile unit in performing the treatment task, or may replace equipment that has malfunctioned, or replenish substances that need to be replenished. According to some embodiments, the role of the mobile unit may be changed in order to optimize the treatment, such that any of the mobile units may take over part of a task of another mobile unit, which, for some reason, is held up with the task it was required to perform or has malfunctioned.

According to some embodiments, any one of the mobile units may include replacement arm elements as well as replacements for any other detachable elements on the mobile unit and stores of replenishable substances. According to some embodiments, replacement elements, including arm elements and stores of replenishable substances, may be placed in any appropriate position in the milking parlor, including a parking area, the stalls, the ramp, the milking pit, as well as at any elevated point in the milking parlor, e.g., above the ramp, and the like. According to some embodiments, any one of the mobile units may leave equipment in any appropriate location, e.g., a holder in a stall or at a pre-designated location outside of the stall, for another mobile unit (or other entity) to use.

Any one of the detachable elements, including arm elements, may receive electricity, substances, such as sanitizing liquids, and the like via the mobile unit. Further, any one of the detachable elements, including arm elements, may receive commands from the mobile unit it is attached to, from any one of the other mobile units, from a central management unit or the like.

According to some embodiments, any two mobile units may be configured to communicate directly with one another, with a central management unit, or both. According to some embodiments, a central management unit may relay signals from one mobile unit to another. The central management unit may be positioned at any appropriate position in the milking parlor and may be either mobile or stationary. According to some embodiments, the central management unit is physically attached to any one of the mobile units. According to some embodiments, the central management unit may include a plurality of control units, each positioned as required, e.g., on a mobile unit or at any appropriate position in the milking parlor.

It is noted that the communication between the mobile units, directly or indirectly, via, e.g., control units attached to any of the mobile units, one or more central management units, or any other communicating entities in the milking parlor, may optimize the treatment of the livestock, enabling the various mobile units to perform different parts of the same task, to treat different animals, to take over tasks from one another when required, e.g., when one mobile unit malfunctions, to change roles before, during or after the treatment, to refrain from colliding and the like.

According to some embodiments, the communication between the various mobile units with one another and/or with the central management unit and/or control units, and/or with any other appropriate elements in the system/milking parlor may be wireless or may be via wires or at least partially so. According to some embodiments, communication wires may be included, at least partially, in a rail, or attached thereto. According to some embodiments, wireless communication may be transferred by any known means, such as RF, Bluetooth, WiFi, and the like.

Any one of the mobile units, control units, central management units, and the like, may assign tasks to any one of the mobile units, as well as to any other appropriate entities in the milking parlor, for example, a bar distancing human operators from the mobiles units' path, as detailed herein.

One embodiment is directed to a system in which at least one of a plurality of mobile units includes a camera and/or laser scanner, sonar scanner, radio wave scanner or radar device for obtaining data comprising an image of the livestock and/or for identifying any region of the livestock, wherein the system comprises a computing device for processing the data to determine a location of an organ of the livestock with respect to a marking on the ramp.

According to some embodiments, the arm of the mobile unit comprises an arm that includes a gripping unit. The gripping unit may be designated to withdraw teat cups from the holders and attach them to the animal. Once attached, the gripping unit may be detached from the teat cups and possibly, the mobile unit may move to a different location, e.g., for treating a different animal. As detailed herein, the gripping unit may further be designed to grip any other necessary equipment for pre- or post-milking processes, such as a sanitizing brush, sanitizing fluid receptacle, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the gripping unit includes a multiple gripper, i.e., a gripper that may simultaneously grip a multiple number of objects. According to some embodiments, the gripping unit includes a double gripper, i.e., a gripper that may simultaneously grip two objects. According to some embodiments, any one of the grippers may be designed to grip an object, to press a button on any appropriate object, e.g., in order to cause that object to perform a certain operation, to rotate any part of an object, to squeeze any part of an object, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the gripping unit includes a lengthwise double gripper that includes two gripping elements. According to some embodiments, the lengthwise double gripper essentially simultaneously grips two teat cups that are positioned one behind the other in the holder, and attaches them one after the other to the animal's teats, wherein the back teat cup is attached to the back teat first and only then is the front teat cup attached to the front teat. It is noted that in this respect, the front of the holder is considered to be the side of the holder facing the animal and the front teat cups are the teat cups closest to the front of the holder. Further, the front teats are the teats closest to the head of the animal. According to some embodiments, there are two rows of teat cups in the holder, a front row and a back row, wherein each row comprises two teat cups. The lengthwise double gripper may simultaneously grip two teat cups, one form the front row and one from the back row, and attach them to the animal, as detailed herein. Once the first two teat cups are attached to the animal, the lengthwise double gripper may return to the holder to grip the next two teat cups, also, one from the front row and one from the back row, and so on. In order for the lengthwise double gripper to be able to grip two teat cups at the same time, withdraw them from the holder and attached them to the animal's udder one at a time by releasing them one at a time from the lengthwise double gripper, the lengthwise double gripper is designed so that the two grippers may work together or independently, depending on the action necessary for the lengthwise double gripper to perform.

According to some embodiments, as detailed herein, the front teat cups are on a first step and the back teat cups are on a second step, wherein the first and second steps are positioned at different heights and wherein there is a difference in length between the front in back teat cups that is about the same as the difference in heights between the first and second steps. Thus, the lengthwise double gripper may grip one long (front) and one short (back) teat cup, and may further first attach the short teat cup to the back teat and then attach the long teat cup to the front teat.

According to some embodiments, the teat cups comprise more than one groove, hook, handle and the like, which are designed such that lengthwise double gripper may easily grasp the teat cup. According to some embodiments, the teat cups comprise two grooves, such that the lengthwise double gripper is able to properly grip two teat cups at a time, attaching them to the udder one after the other, which includes releasing them from the lengthwise double gripper one at a time. The two grooves may be about 0.5-2.0 cm apart from one another. According to some embodiments, the grooves cover the full circumference of the teat cups, while according to other embodiments, they are designed to be only on part of the circumference. According to some embodiments, the grooves are helical.

It is noted that the force required from any of the grippers to grip any appropriate equipment may be provided by an ex-center mechanism, thereby allowing a firm grip while using a relatively small motor. According to further embodiments, the arm and/or gripper will include a release mechanism, enabling the release of the equipment when necessary, e.g., when no longer in use or when a malfunction occurs.

As detailed herein, the lengthwise double gripper may be designed to grip any appropriate equipment, including teat cups, pre-milking equipment and post-milking equipment. Embodiments of the invention are directed to an autonomous pre-milking brush. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush both sanitizes the teats and stimulates the milk release from the udder. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes any number of brushes that may move, e.g., rotate, such as to sanitize and stimulate the teat. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes one, two, three or four rotating brushes. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes two rotating brushes, which are operated such that the teat is positioned in between the two brushes.

According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is operated by electricity. According to some embodiments, electricity is provided to the autonomous pre-milking brush by any appropriate electric cable or by a battery, possibly rechargeable, which is included in the autonomous pre-milking brush assembly. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush may be part of or attached to the teat cup holder. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is part of the stall or ramp assembly. According to some embodiments, there is an autonomous pre-milking brush designated for each stall. According to other embodiments, an autonomous pre-milking brush may be used for a number of stalls. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is held in a holding port that is part of the teat cup holder, attached to the teat cup holder, part of the stall, ramp, or the like.

According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is coupled to or comprises a rechargeable battery. Means for recharging the battery may be found where the autonomous pre-milking brush is positioned when not in use, e.g., the holding port. For example, a recharger may be attached to or included in or on the teat cup holder. For example, a recharger may be positioned in any appropriate location in any one of the stalls, between any two of the stalls, in the milking pit or the like, as long as both the mobile unit and a manual operator may reach the autonomous pre-milking brush when necessary. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes a charging socket through which the autonomous pre-milking brush is charged when attached to the recharger, which is, e.g., an element of the teat cup holder, an element positioned in or between the stall, in the milking pit or the like. According to some embodiments, the charging socket is water proof.

According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is held and operated by the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is held and operated by a human operator. According to some embodiments, the location of the autonomous pre-milking brush is set such that either a human operator or a mobile unit may reach it, grab the part of the autonomous pre-milking brush to be used for sanitizing and stimulating the animal, and move it to the animal's udder and utilize it. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush comprises grooves, handles, notches, indentations, hooks and the like, possibly similar to those of the teat cups, thus allowing the same lengthwise double gripper to utilize the autonomous pre-milking brush.

According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes a magnetic sensor, a switch, a button, or the like, for turning it on, e.g., for causing the brush/es to rotate. According to some embodiments, the same sensor/button/switch or another sensor/button/switch, or any other appropriate means, which may be on-site or remote, may be used to operate a nozzle, or the like, to spray disinfectant/water on the autonomous pre-milking brush. According to some embodiments, the nozzle, or the like, is an element of the teat cup holder, such that essentially, the autonomous pre-milking brush is sprayed with water/disinfectant, by an element of the teat cup holder. Thus, according to some embodiments, the teat cup holder includes an element for spraying the autonomous pre-milking brush with water/disinfectant. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is sprayed with disinfectant/water while in its holding port, possibly located on the teat cup holder or in its vicinity. According to other embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush is sprayed with disinfectant/water after it is withdrawn from its holding port. According to some embodiments, the disinfectant disinfects the autonomous pre-milking brush and further, wets the autonomous pre-milking brush, such that the autonomous pre-milking brush is ready to use for mechanically cleaning and stimulating the teats, by rotating the wet brush on the teats. According to some embodiments, the disinfectant used is such that it disinfects the brush itself, not necessarily the teat, due to the rapid action of the disinfectant. However, rotating the wet, disinfected brush on the teat disinfects the teat and further, stimulates milk release.

According to some embodiments and unlike other known systems, the various elements of the system of the invention, including the autonomous pre-milking brush, may be both manually and robotically operated.

Embodiments of the invention are further directed to a post-milking disinfection tool and filling station. According to some embodiments, the post-milking disinfection tool includes a dipping chamber and a filling detection element, wherein the dipping chamber is filled with a disinfectant. According to some embodiments, the post-milking disinfection tool further comprises a brush. According to some embodiments, the brush is positioned, at least partially, around the entrance of the dipping chamber, such that when the animal's teat is dipped into the dipping chamber, it passes through the brush, such that it is brushed thereby, thus ensuring that the disinfectant found in the dipping chamber is brushed and spread onto the teat. Further, since filled in a filling chamber, no tubes or the like are necessarily attached to the post-milking disinfection tool, thus, the post-milking disinfection tool is considered to be an autonomous post-milking disinfection tool.

According to some embodiments, the filling detection element detects whether the dipping chamber is full, whether it needs to be filled or any other possible parameter allowing the system to fill the dipping chamber when necessary. According to some embodiments, the filling detection element is electronic. According to other embodiments, the filling detection element is mechanical. According to some embodiments, the filling detection element merely detects when the dipping chamber should be filled, while according to other embodiments, the filling detection element monitors the amount of disinfectant in the chamber and alerts the system when a minimal predefined amount is reached. According to some embodiments, the filling detection element is a float. According to some embodiments, the height of the float is detected by a detection element on the mobile unit, e.g., and IR sensor. According to some embodiments, when the height of the float is below a predefined height, the dipping chamber is filled.

The dipping chamber may be filled by any appropriate means at any location in the milking parlor. According to some embodiments, the dipping chamber is filled at a designated filling station. According to some embodiments, the system includes more than one filling station. According to some embodiments, there is a filling station for each stall. According to some embodiments, there is a filling station for every few stalls. According to some embodiments, the filling station is positioned in the stalls, in between the stalls, in the milking pit, partially in the stalls and partially in the milking pit, or at any other appropriate location. According to some embodiments, the filling station is positioned at about the height of the pelvis of the animals, and is positioned between two animals, such that the filling station separates between the two animals and further, is not located where the animal's legs may hinder the use thereof. According to some embodiments, the filling station is also a holding station, wherein the post-milking disinfection tool is held when not in use.

According to some embodiments, the post-milking disinfection tool is used by the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, the mobile unit takes the post-milking disinfection tool from the filling station when necessary, sanitizes the animals' teat therewith after milking, and returns the post-milking disinfection tool to the filling station when filling is necessary and/or when the post-milking disinfection process is concluded.

According to some embodiments, the post-milking disinfection tool is gripped by a gripping element attached to the arm of the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, the post-milking disinfection tool is gripped by the double gripper, as described herein. According to some embodiments, the post-milking disinfection tool includes grooves, hooks, handles and the like, as described regarding the teat cups herein, in order to allow the gripper to grip the post-milking disinfection tool. According to some embodiments, of the grippers of the double gripper holds the post-milking disinfection tool, while the second gripper activates the filling of the dipping chamber by, e.g., pressing or rotating a button or the like. The button may be part of the post-milking disinfection tool or of the filling station. According to some embodiments, the filling of the dipping chamber is via a mechanical valve that is pressed, rotated or the like. According to some embodiments, the filling of the dipping chamber is via an electronic valve that is activated by an electronic switch, a magnetic sensor, a motion detector, a metal detector, an electro-optic sensor or the like. The mechanical/electronic valve may be activated by any one of the grippers, by any other elements on the mobile unit, by elements on the teat cup holder, by a human user, electronically from a remote device or by any other appropriate means.

According to some embodiments, like the remaining elements in the system, the post-milking disinfection tool may be used manually as well as robotically. In addition, since the post-milking disinfection tool includes a dipping chamber such that the teat of the animal is dipped in the disinfectant, the amount of disinfectant wasted is reduced in comparison to most systems in which the disinfectant is sprayed onto the animals' teats.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a non-planar leg separator that is positioned on the ramp, particularly on the floor in each stall approximately in the center between the hind legs, in order to cause the animal to separate its hind legs. Leg separators are known in the art and are used for separating the animals' hind legs in order to allow the robotic arm to easily access the animal's teats. Accordingly, the leg separators are designed such that the animal is uncomfortable standing on them, and therefore, will position its hind legs on the sides of the leg separator, not on the separator itself, thus separating its hind legs. According to embodiments of the invention, any number of non-planar leg separators may be positioned on the ramp, e.g., in each one of the stalls that animals may occupy and be treated, e.g., milked. According to some embodiments, any number of non-planar leg separators may be included in any one of the stalls. For example, any one of the stalls may include one relatively large leg separator or a number of smaller leg separators. For example, the number of leg separators in any stall may be different from the number of leg separators in any of the other stalls.

However, the systems known in the art include chambers into which the animals enter without needing to step on the leg separator, just to step and stand on the two sides of it. As detailed herein, the system of the invention may be used in a parallel milking parlor; accordingly, the animals walk through several stalls before reaching their designated stall. Once reaching their designated stall, they turn about 90° to be positioned for milking and/or any other treatment. Thus, if leg separators are located on the ramp, i.e., on the floor in each stall, the animals will continuously walk on them, which would be uncomfortable for them. Thus, when working in a parallel milking parlor the leg separators may be designed such that the animals may comfortably walk over them, while they are at the same time uncomfortable to stand on and therefore, are affective in causing the animal to separate its hind legs.

Thus, embodiments of the invention are directed to a non-planar leg separator, which is designed such that when the animal walks through the stall, the first and last parts of the non-planar leg separator are about flush with the ramp, i.e., the same height as the ramp, while the middle of the non-planar leg separator is elevated. According to some embodiments, the non-planar leg separator may include any number of arches, either depressed or elevated, steps, triangular shapes, V-shapes and the like, such that an animal may easily walk over the non-planar leg separator, while after rotating about 90° in the stall, the animal will be uncomfortable standing on the leg separator and will therefore, separate its hind legs. According to some embodiments, electronic, mechanic and/or manual means may change the position of the non-planar leg separator after the animal is positioned in the stall and turns about 90°. Accordingly, the leg separator itself may be flat, though is raised from the ramp after the animal turns about 90°, thereby separating the animals' hind legs.

According to some embodiments, the non-planar leg separator includes rods and spaces between the rods, wherein the size of the rods, the size of the spaces, the shape of the rods and the like are designed in order for the animal to easily walk over the non-planar leg separator sideways, while after turning about 90° in the stall, the animal is uncomfortable standing on the non-planar leg separator and therefore separates its hind legs. According to some embodiments, the non-planar leg separator includes cross-bars that connect that rods one to another and/or to the sides of the non-planar leg separator, such that the non-planar leg separator is sturdy and does not become deformed when, e.g., stepped on by an animal. According to some embodiments, any parts of the non-planar leg separator, including the rods, the cross-bars, the frame and the like, are textured to any appropriate degree in order to prevent the animal from slipping when placing a hoof on the non-planar separator however, the texturing of the various elements is such that it is not harmful to the animal.

According to some embodiments, the diameter of any one of the rods is between about 10-30 mm, wherein the diameters of the rods are independent from one another, such that any two rods may have a different diameter. According to some embodiments, the number of rods is between about 4-10. According to some embodiments, the height difference between any two rods is between about 2-20 mm.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 that shows an exemplary system 105 according to embodiments of the invention. As shown by FIG. 1, system 105 may include a walkway or ramp 130, an enclosure, fence or stall 120 for containing and/or confining livestock (e.g., containing cow 110 as shown) and a mobile unit 140. In an embodiment of the invention, mobile unit 140 may be a mobile robot designed to travel on ramp 130 and under the livestock (e.g., under cow 110 as shown in FIG. 1). For example, mobile unit 140 may be designed and manufactured such that it freely travels under, and between the front and hind legs of the livestock. In this respect it is noted that FIG. 1 presents a side view of a cross section of ramp 130, such that mobile unit 140 is intended to enter the area between the front and hind legs of the livestock from the side, i.e., from the left or right of the animal confined to stall 120.

Various models of mobile unit 140 may be contemplated, for example, a model used for goats may be smaller than one used for cows. In one embodiment, mobile unit 140 is adapted for treating cows. Assuming a space of up to about 60 centimeters in height is available under an average cow, mobile unit 140, including an attached arm, may be designed such that it can freely travel through a space that is about 50 centimeters in height. Mobile unit 140 may be designed such that it can travel between the fore and hind legs of a cow. Accordingly, mobile unit 140 may be small enough in size to travel under cows standing on a ramp, as described.

Including a small mobile unit 140 as described, embodiments of the invention enable advantages that cannot be achieved by systems and methods known in the art. As discussed above, robotic milking machines known in the art use an arm that is based (or extends from) outside the stall containing the livestock. During operation, such an arm needs to extend into the stall and under the livestock, e.g., in order to attach a milking unit. An arm extending from outside the stall may harm the livestock when traveling, since its path may collide with the livestock, e.g., the legs of a cow in the stall. Moreover, the distance traveled by an arm based (or extending from) outside the stall is relatively long.

Designed to fit, and operate, under the livestock, and travel between the legs of the livestock, mobile unit 140 as described herein eliminates some of the above mentioned drawbacks. For example, as further described herein, mobile unit 140 may travel to a location under the livestock from the side of the livestock, thus, entering a location between the fore and hind legs along a path such that it does not collide with the legs of the livestock.

Embodiments of the invention enable treating livestock by a system that minimizes the movement or distance travelled by an arm. For example, movement of arm 215 may be minimal, e.g., extending from under the cow to a housing of a milking unit that may be in close proximity.

Reference is made to FIG. 2A, schematically showing a mobile unit 140 according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, mobile unit 140 may include wheels 210 enabling it to travel, e.g., on ramp 130 as described. It will be understood that other means for enabling a mobility of mobile unit 140 may be used. For example, instead of wheels 210, mobile unit 140 may be equipped with continuous tracks (e.g., as used in bulldozers). Further, ramp 130 may be equipped with means for transporting mobile unit 140, such as a conveyer belt, a chained track and the like.

As shown, mobile unit 140 may include an arm 215 having joints 220, wherein arm 215 is connected to main body 144 of mobile unit 140. According to some embodiments, arm 215 is connected to main body 144 via arm base 225. Although FIG. 2A shows arm 215 as being centrically positioned on main body 144, it is noted that arm 215 may be positioned and connected to main body 144 at any appropriate position, including an eccentric position. The eccentric positioning of arm 215 may allow the same mobile unit 140 to be used for treating different sized livestock, relating both to the livestock's length and height, as well as to reach farther in one direction than in the other, as required. As shown, arm 215 may include a gripping unit 250, a set of sensor units 230 and a set of treatment units 240. Arm 215 may be designed such that it may extend and rotate such that gripping unit 250, sensor units 230 and treatment units 240 may be placed at a chosen location and/or orientation. For example, although not shown, mobile unit 140 (or arm 215) may include electric motors adapted to move, rotate and/or extend arm 215 such that gripping unit 250, sensor units 230 and treatment units 240 are brought to a selected location and/or orientation. Although not shown, it is noted that, as detailed herein, gripping unit 250 may be replaced by any other required equipment. According to some embodiments, any of the equipment on mobile unit 140 may be detachable, such as gripping unit 250, sensors 230 or treatment units 240, such that they may be replaced by other units, either of the same or different type.

According to some embodiments, arm 215 is in a folded configuration while mobile unit 140 is in a mobile mode, e.g., moving from one stall to the next, into the first stall or out of the last stall. Once mobile unit 140 positions itself in a work mode, between the fore and hind legs of the livestock, arm 215 may transform into an unfolded configuration, wherein the length, height, position and orientation of arm 215 depend on the specific livestock under which it is positioned, the operation it is to perform, its orientation in respect to any type of equipment it is intended to use and the like.

Gripping unit 250 may be any unit adapted to selectively hold and release an object. For example, gripping unit 250 may be adapted to hold a teat cup, e.g., while removing it from the holder and attaching it to the animal, further, gripping unit 250 may be adapted to release the teat cups, e.g., after they are attached to the animal. It is noted that the while teat cups and/or gripping unit 250 may be designed to be attached to the animal in an assembly of two or four teat cups, the teat cups may also be designed to be attached to the animal in a singular manner, one after the other, according to any appropriate sequence.

Sensor units 230 may include any sensing device, system or module. For example, sensing units 230 may include a camera, laser scanner, sonar scanner, radio wave scanner, radar or any other appropriate device, for acquiring an image of an organ of an animal (e.g., in order to identify the animal) and/or for identifying any region of the animal, possibly assessing the position of that region in space. In an embodiment of a system, sensing units 230 may include sensors for testing for pregnancy. Testing for pregnancy using an ultrasonic sensor is known in the art. For example, in an embodiment of a system, sensor units 230 include an ultrasonic sensor used in order to test livestock for pregnancy wherein the actual testing may be performed as known in the art. In the same or other embodiment of a system, sensing units 230 may include sensors for capturing a heartbeat of a fetus. Any other sensors may be included in sensing units 230.

Treatment units 240 may include any applicable device, system or module. For example, treatment units 240 may include a washing unit adapted to wash an organ (e.g., washing the udder of an animal before or after milking). For example, mobile unit 140 may include an assembly including a tank or container that contains liquid (e.g., water, solvent or other liquid solution). The assembly may include pipes to run the liquid from the tank to jets on nozzles included in treatment units 240. The assembly may include a pump to force liquids from a liquid container through the pipes and jets.

An assembly included in mobile unit 140 as described herein may be used for cleaning or washing any object. For example, arm 215 may be positioned such that jets in treatment units 240 are directed downwards, at a floor. For example, mobile unit 140 may wash the floor of ramps 130 and 405 described herein.

Sensor units 230 may include a thermometer for determining a temperature of the livestock or a temperature of an organ of a livestock. For example, udder infections may be identified or detected for example by measuring the temperature of the udder. Any data collected by sensor units 230 may be stored on mobile unit 140, may be processed by a controller included in mobile unit 140 as described herein and/or may be sent to a remote computer using communication components included in mobile unit 140 as described herein (e.g., with reference to FIG. 3, as detailed below).

For the sake of simplicity and clarity, various elements that may be included in mobile unit 140 are not shown in FIG. 2A. For example, wires providing electric power to arm 215, sensor units 230 and treatment units 240 may be included, but are not shown. Other elements, e.g., wires carrying digital data or signals to/from sensor units 230 and treatment units 240 are not shown. Other elements included and not shown may be pipes or conduits used for running liquids (e.g., liquids used for washing or disinfecting). For example, mobile unit 140 may include an assembly including a container that contains disinfectant liquid (e.g., iodine) and a pump for causing the liquid to be transferred from the tank and sprayed on an udder of an animal through nozzles or jets in a disinfecting unit included in treatment units 240. Included also may be any types of syringes, test tubes, slides, scissors, forceps and the like, which enable the operator to perform any type of desired testing/treatment. Further, the mobile unit may include any type of safety mechanism. Such a safety mechanism may protect the mobile unit against possible collisions. The safety mechanism may further protect the mobile unit against possible kicks from the livestock.

As detailed herein, the system may be configured such that the mobile unit does not enter, or does not frequently enter, zones in which it is highly probable that a livestock will kick. In this respect it is noted that an analysis of livestock movements shows that dairy livestock, such as cows, tend to kick strongly mainly backwards with their hind legs. Other kicks are also apparent, though are not as strong. Thus, the system is configured such that the mobile unit does not move behind the hind legs of the dairy livestock. Nonetheless, the mobile unit may still be kicked and further, may collide with other mobile and/or stationary objects and therefore, embodiments of the mobile unit may include a safety mechanism. According to some embodiments, the safety mechanism is included in arm 215. According to some embodiments, the safety mechanism is at base 225 of arm 215, where arm 215 is attached to mobile unit 140. However, the configuration of the system such that the mobile unit is mostly positioned in “non-kick zones”, allows arm 215 to be relatively small and light, since it is not required to withstand harsh blows. According to some embodiments, the mobile units are programed to refrain from entering “kick zones” by any known means, which may be either a physical part of the mobile unit, the ramp, or other elements of the system, or electronic data transferred thereto when necessary by RF, Bluetooth, WiFi, and the like. According to some embodiments, the mobile units include sensors that aid in directing them to “non-kick” zones. According to some embodiments, the ramp includes marks that relay data to the mobile unit regarding zones that it may or may not enter. According to some embodiments, any types of barriers may be included on the ramp to prevent the mobile unit from entering kick-zones, wherein such barriers, while affecting the movements of the mobile units, would, generally, not affect the movements of the animals on the ramp. According to some embodiments, a rail/guide is positioned on the ramp/platform, such that mobile units moving along the rail/guide, do not enter kick-zones. The kick- and non-kick zones may be predefined, according to the regular use and movements of the livestock in the milking parlor.

According to some embodiments, the dimensions of the main body 144 of the mobile unit 140 are in the range of 20-100 cm (length)×25-55 cm (height)×20-60 cm (width). According to some embodiments, the weight of the mobile unit 140 is in the range of about 10-50 kg. According to some embodiments, the weight of the mobile unit is under about 40 kg. According to some embodiments, the weight of the mobile unit is under about 30 kg. According to some embodiments, the weight of the mobile unit is under about 25 kg. According to some embodiments, the weight of the mobile unit is under about 20 kg. Embodiments allowing mobile unit 140 to be both small and light weight, provide a mobile unit that it easily treated by any operator, including a human operator. For example, if a mobile unit 140 malfunctions, an operator may simply manually lift it up off of ramp 130. The size of mobile unit 140 also enables it to easily maneuver between the livestock's front and hind legs. Additionally, the smaller mobile unit 140 is, the less prone it will be to collisions with other stationary and mobile objects, including kicks from the livestock. A small sized mobile unit also provides safety to human operator as well as other elements in the milking parlor, since collisions with a small mobile unit may not be hazardous. Further, the parking or storage area, as detailed herein, necessary for small mobile units is relatively small and therefore, existing areas in the milking parlor can be used for storage/parking, without requiring additional space or rearrangement of the milking parlor.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2B and 2C, presenting an embodiment of a safety mechanism that may be included in mobile unit 140, as described in FIG. 2A, wherein FIG. 2B presents safety mechanism 260 in an engaged configuration while FIG. 2C presents safety mechanism 260 in a disengaged configuration. It is noted that certain elements appear only in one of the figures (e.g., elements 140 or 215 in FIG. 2A) though are relevant to the other figures as well and therefore, the description of a certain figure may include elements appearing in a different figure. Accordingly, all of the figures should be related to together.

The safety mechanism may be any appropriate safety mechanism known in the art, which disengages top plate 261 from bottom plate 262 when an element, such as arm 215, attached to the top plate 261 is hit. Space 263 is formed by the disengagement of top plate 261 from bottom plate 262. When space 263 is formed, elements attached to top plate 261, such as arm 215, will not operate, until safety mechanism 260 is reengaged; however, the disengagement prevents irreversible damage to arm 215, mobile unit 140 and the like, since it allows top plate 261 to swivel freely around an axis, such that the force of the blow is translated into rotational movement. Safety mechanism 260 may be reengaged by any appropriate means, e.g., manually, electronically, automatically, according to predefined conditions, and the like.

According to some embodiments, in the engaged configuration, an element, such as a ball bearing, a pushpin, a protrusion, or the like (not shown) attached to top plate 261 protrudes into, e.g., a groove (not shown) in bottom plate 262, e.g., beneath one or more of springs 264. When disengaged, top plate 261 may rotate in respect to bottom plate 262, such that the ball bearing, pushpin, protrusion, or the like is withdrawn from the groove in bottom plate 262. When reengaged, top plate 261 may be rotated in respect to bottom plate 262, such that the ball bearing, pushpin, protrusion, or the like reenters the groove in bottom plate 262.

According to some embodiments, safety mechanism 260 is included in arm 215. According to some embodiments, safety mechanism 260 is included in arm base 225. According to some embodiments, arm 215 is connected to main body 144 by way of safety mechanism 260.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, schematically showing components that may be included in mobile unit 140 according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, mobile unit 140 may include a controller 310, a memory 315, a radio frequency (RF) receive/transmit (Rx/Tx) unit 335 (also referred to as “RF unit 335” herein), a data storage unit 340, input/output (I/O) devices 345, a power source 320, a set of motors 325 and a set of sensors 330. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, some components that may be included in mobile unit 140 are omitted from FIG. 3. For example, arm 215 and wheels 210 are not shown in FIG. 3. Power source 320 may be any suitable power source for providing power to any components of mobile unit 140. For example, power source 320 may be a battery that provides electric energy to motors 325, controller 310, RF unit 335 and/or other components included in mobile unit 140. Accordingly, mobile unit 140 may include an internal power source. According to other embodiments, mobile unit 140 receives electricity from any appropriate external source, connected to mobile unit 140, e.g., via power source 320.

Motors 325 may be electric motors that move and/or extend arm 215, rotate wheels 210 or drive other components included in mobile unit 140. Sensors 330 may be any suitable sensors. For example, sensors 330 may be adapted to sense light, infra red (IR) light, magnetic flux and the like. For example and as described herein, a sensor included in sensors 330 may sense a mark or markers on path or ramp 130 thus enabling mobile unit 140 to position itself at predefined locations on ramp 130 or to refrain from entering certain areas on ramp 130. Another example could be that sensors 330 sense that they are positioned correctly under the animal, e.g., by detecting the shadow created by the animal's body, the heat produced thereby or the like, thus positioning mobile unit 140 as desired.

RF unit 335 may be a component enabling mobile unit 140 to communicate with any component in a system as described herein. For example, RF unit 335 may be a WiFi (also spelled Wi-Fi or Wifi) component or device enabling mobile unit 140 to communicate with a management system or with other mobile units, e.g., in a system that includes a remote management system and/or a plurality of mobile units 140 as described herein. According to other embodiments, the communication is via Bluetooth.

Controller 310 may be, for example, a central processing unit processor (CPU), a chip or any suitable computing or computational device. In some embodiments, more than one controller 310 may be used. For example, a plurality of controllers similar to controller 310 may be included in mobile unit 140.

Memory 315 may be or may include, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a double data rate (DDR) memory chip, a Flash memory, a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, a cache memory or other suitable memory units or storage units. In an embodiment, memory 315 is a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that stores instructions and the instructions are executed by controller 310. Memory 315 may be or may include a plurality of, possibly different memory units.

Executable code 316 may be any executable code, e.g., an application, a program, a process, software, a task or a script. Executable code 316 may be executed by controller 310 possibly under control of an operating system. For example, executable code 316 may be one or more applications that control or manage components in mobile unit 140. For example, when executed by controller 310, executable code 316 may cause controller 310 to control or manage arm 215, treatment units 240, sensors 230, RF unit 335, motors 325 and other components included in mobile unit 140. Where applicable, executable code 316, when executed by controller 310 may cause controller 310 to carry out operations described herein in real-time. For example, controller 310 may be configured to update, process and/or act upon information at the same rate the information, or a relevant event, is received. Executable code 316 may include a plurality of executable code segments. For example, a first code segment may manage and/or interact with RF unit 335 and a second code segment included in executable code 316 may control motors 325. Executable code 316 may include an operating system (OS) that may be a commercial operating system designed and/or configured to perform tasks involving coordination, scheduling, arbitration, supervising, controlling or otherwise managing operation of controller 310, for example, scheduling execution of programs.

Data storage unit 340 may be any suitable system or device capable of storing digital information. For example, data storage unit 340 may include a hard disk, a universal serial bus (USB) device, a CD-Recordable (CD-R) drive and media, a nonvolatile memory chip or any other memory. Content may be stored in data storage unit 340 and may be loaded from data storage unit 340 into memory 315 where it may be processed by controller 310. Content may be stored in data storage unit 340 and may be sent, e.g., using RF unit 335, from data storage unit 340 to a remote computer or system. For example, data acquired by sensor units 230 may be stored in data storage unit 340 and may later be extracted from data storage unit 340 and sent or uploaded to a remote computer.

Input/Output (I/O) devices 345 may be or may include a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen or pad, a microphone, or any suitable input device. It will be recognized that any suitable number of input devices may be operatively connected to mobile unit 140 or controller 310. I/O devices 345 may include one or more displays, speakers and/or any other suitable output devices. It will be recognized that any suitable number of output devices may be operatively connected to mobile unit 140 or controller 310. Any applicable input/output (I/O) devices may be connected to mobile unit 140 or controller 310. For example, a wired or wireless network interface card (NIC), a modem, printer or facsimile machine, a universal serial bus (USB) device or external hard drive may be included in I/O devices 345.

Embodiments of the invention may include a mini robot (e.g., in the form of mobile unit 140) adapted to travel on a ramp and below dairy livestock, between the fore and hind legs of the livestock. For example, an embodiment of a system may include a mini robot adapted to travel on a ramp on which livestock is standing. An embodiment of a system may include a mini robot adapted to travel to a spot under the livestock and park in at the predefined spot, e.g., as further described herein. In an embodiment, the mini robot or mobile unit may carry equipment usable for treating livestock or may use equipment placed in various, possibly designated, positions in the milking parlor. For example, the mini robot may carry, or extract from a housing, a milking unit and attach the milking unit to the dairy livestock. The milking robot may park under the livestock and, when parked, perform a treatment. For example, a treatment may be milking, disinfecting, obtaining measurements and the like. As described, a mini robot or mobile unit may travel on a ramp on which the livestock is standing. For example, a ramp on which cows are standing may include a guide or rail and a mini robot or mobile unit may travel along or on the guide or rail.

A method of treating dairy livestock may include navigating a mobile unit to a location under the livestock; and carrying out, by the mobile unit, at least one action related to a treatment of the dairy livestock. It will be understood that portions of the operations, such as milking, disinfecting, washing and obtaining measurements, may include usage of equipment as known in the art, which may be included in or on the mobile unit or at any appropriate location in the milking parlor. For example, the actual washing of udders of the animals, as described herein, may be performed as known in the art. Similarly, using jets to spray a disinfectant liquid may be as known in the art. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity and simplicity, details related to some of the operations performed by a mini robot or mobile unit as described herein are assumed to be understood or known to a person having ordinary skill in the art and are not described in detail.

Reference is made to FIG. 4 that shows a system 400 according to embodiments of the invention in a rotary milking parlor. As described herein, system 400 may be included in or operated as a milking parlor or milking platform. It is particularly noted, as will be detailed herein, that all of the elements of the system of the invention may be included in any existing milking parlor, including rotary and parallel milking parlors and may be altered as required according to the type of the milking parlor. As shown, system 400 may include a ramp 405. For example, ramp 405 may be a platform on which animals stand being milked or treated, wherein each animal, once entering ramp 405, stands in a stall, one animal per stall, as known in the art. As shown by arrow 406, ramp or platform 405 may rotate, with the livestock on it. As shown, ramp 405 may include a guide or rail 410 for guiding mobile units. As shown by mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415, mobile units that may be similar to mobile unit 140 described herein, may be placed on ramp 405 and may travel on ramp 405, e.g., forward or backwards along rail 410 or out to a maintenance area (see, e.g., the position of mobile unit 441). As shown, system 400 may include a maintenance area 435. For example, as shown by mobile unit 441, a mobile unit may exit rail 410 into a maintenance area 435 where it may be serviced, including, for example, removing samples that mobile unit 441 collected from the monitored livestock. It is noted that once mobile unit 441 enters maintenance area 435, it may remain there until ramp 405 stops rotating and until at least in the vicinity of maintenance area 435 there are no moving animals and/or mobile units, such that an operator may safely enter ramp 405, without being endangered by movements of ramp 405, animals and/or mobile units. As shown by arrow 460, animals may enter or mount ramp 405 through a dedicated opening and as shown by arrow 461, animals may exit ramp 405 through a dedicated opening or gate.

System 400 may include a component for housing a milking unit, e.g., before milking has begun and/or after milking has been completed. For example, as shown by assembly 420, an assembly for housing milking equipment may be included in ramp 405. For example, when placed in assembly 420, a milking unit may be washed, disinfected and the like. A system may include a component for placing milking units in a dedicated place or holder that is relatively close to the location of an animal when milked. For example, as shown by arrangement 430, special holders may be included in ramp 405 and a milking unit may be placed in the holder or holders. For example, quartets of holders 430 may separately hold teat cups. As shown by arm 425, a system may include an arm adapted to extract or fetch a milking unit from assembly 420 and place the milking unit in holders 430. It is further noted that arm 425 may not be included in the system and that the milking units may be placed in holders 430 by any appropriate means, such as human operators. In addition, it is noted that the milking unit, which, as shown in FIG. 4, is part of system 400 or of the milking parlor, not part of mobile unit 140, is connected directly to the main milk-line (not shown). Accordingly, system 400 may further include any milk or livestock testing means necessary for assuring that only desired milk enters the main milk-line. Undesired milk, e.g., from an animal receiving antibiotics, may be collected separately. Different types of milk, such as colostrum, may also be collected separately.

In one embodiment, holders 430 are located at a minimal distance from the milked animal. It is noted that holders 430 may hold milking equipment, such as teat cups, cleaning equipment, such as brushes, disinfecting fluid or disinfecting fluid conduits, or any other necessary equipment or substances. According to one embodiment, one holder 430 is positioned between every two stalls, wherein an additional holder may be positioned before the first stall or after the last stall, or between the first and last stalls on a rotary platform. According to some embodiments, any one of the holders may be positioned about in line with the space between the hind legs of an animal, when confined to the stall. Either one of those positions enables arm 215 to be of minimal length, such that mobile unit 140 (see FIG. 2A) has a minimal footprint. According to some embodiments, arm 215 (see FIG. 2A) does not reach beyond the edge of ramp 130. According to some embodiments, arm 215 reaches up to 20 cm beyond the edge of ramp 130. According to some embodiments, arm 215 reaches up to 15 cm beyond the edge of ramp 130. According to some embodiments, arm 215 reaches up to 10 cm beyond the edge of ramp 130. According to some embodiments, arm 215 reaches up to 5 cm beyond the edge of ramp 130.

It is noted that throughout, although reference herein is made to specific mobile units and elements thereof, as well as specific elements of the system, such as mobile unit 140 and arm 215, as presented in FIG. 2A, the embodiments detailed are relevant for any mobile units and system elements, such as mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445 and 446, unless specifically mentioned otherwise.

According to some embodiments, mobile unit 140 is configured such that it may travel on ramp 130, easily fit between the front and hind legs of the livestock, and, when parked under the livestock in working mode, can use arm 215 to reach and operate any necessary equipment, such as teat cups, cleaning brushes and the like. According to some embodiments, the mobile unit is designed such that, when parked under the livestock, as described, the external edges of main body 144 do not protrude beyond the external edge of the body of the livestock under which it is parked. According to some embodiments, any one of the external edges of main body 144 protrudes up to 20 cm beyond the external edge of the body of the livestock under which it is parked. According to some embodiments, any one of the external edges of main body 144 protrudes up to 15 cm beyond the external edge of the body of the livestock under which it is parked. According to some embodiments, any one of the external edges of main body 144 protrudes up to 10 cm beyond the external edge of the body of the livestock under which it is parked. According to some embodiments, any one of the external edges of main body 144 protrudes up to 5 cm beyond the external edge of the body of the livestock under which it is parked.

According to some embodiments, while mobile unit 140 is parked under the livestock, base 225 of arm 215 is positioned under the livestock, while arm 215 may extend out from under the livestock in order to perform any necessary operations, e.g., withdraw teat cups from holder 130 and the like.

As shown, system 400 may include a management unit 470 that may include an RF unit 471 enabling management unit 470 to communicate/coordinate with other components of system 400. For example, management unit 470 may communicate/coordinate with mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415. As shown, management unit 470 may include a controller or processor 474 and a memory 472 that may include software, instructions or executable code 473. When executed by controller 474, executable code 473 may cause controller 474 to perform operations performed by management unit 470 as described herein. In one embodiment, management unit 470 includes a server computer equipped with RF capabilities. Accordingly, a management software application may be executed on management unit 470 and the management application may communicate with mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415. Although not shown, management unit 470 may be connected to other components or computers, e.g., management unit 470 may be connected to the internet or to a remote sever. Accordingly, any data obtained by mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415 may be communicated to management unit 470 and from management unit 470 to any computer or network. Controller or processor 474 and/or controller or processor 310 may be configured to carry out embodiments of the invention by for example executing instructions or software.

L001861 As described, a system for treating dairy livestock may include a ramp for containing dairy livestock and one or more mobile units configured to travel on the ramp and below the dairy livestock and perform at least one action related to treatment/testing of the dairy livestock. For example, mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415 may be small enough to travel under, and between the front and hind legs of cows standing on ramp 405 and may perform various treatments and operations as described herein.

L001871 According to some embodiments, ramp 405 is a rotating platform in a rotary milking parlor. According to some embodiments, ramp 405 is a stationary platform in a parallel milking parlor. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, when the system of the invention is assembled in a parallel milking parlor, there will be two ramps 405, each possibly fitted with a guide or rail 410, as detailed herein, and each having mobile units 140, 415 and the like moving thereon and treating animals on each one of the two parallel platforms.

In a rotary milking parlor ramp 405 may be adapted to translate or move both the dairy livestock and the mobile unit. Accordingly, when positioned under an animal, a mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 442) may be stationary with respect to an animal above it, while both the animal and the mobile unit are translated (e.g., rotated) by ramp 405. For example, ramp 405 may be a round ramp adapted to translate the livestock and mobile units in a circle around a center. Ramp 405 may include stalls (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) and may rotate slowly such that animal can enter or mount ramp 405 as shown by arrow 460 and exit ramp 405 as shown by arrow 461.

Guide or rail 410 may be designed to keep the mobile units (e.g., mobile units 446, 447 and 415) within a predefined path along ramp 405 and under the livestock positioned on ramp 405, wherein rail 410 may extend from one end of the ramp to the other and when the ramp is circular (or oval or otherwise shaped in a closed shape), rail 410, or at least a part thereof, may be designed to be the same shape as the ramp, or similar thereto, such that when the livestock are positioned on the ramp, rail 410 travels between the fore and hind legs of the livestock. For example, rail 410 may include side walls that may prevent mobile units from traveling at any direction other than along rail 410. In one embodiment, rail 410 may include rails on which wheels 210 (that may include a groove that fits the rails) travel such that the rails hold the wheels (and thus the mobile units) in a way similar to the way rails hold or guide a train.

In an embodiment, rail 410 may provide mobile units with electrical energy. For example, contacts may be placed on the sides of rail 410 and may provide current to mobile units via electrical contacts included in the mobile units. For example, metal brushes or other components in mobile unit 442 may be connected to motors 325 and be in touch with conductive metal strips or terminals placed on (or along) rail 410. Electric power may be fed into the conductive metal strips or terminals, may flow through the brushes and may power motors 325. Accordingly, rail 410 may provide mobile units with electrical energy.

According to other embodiments, rail 410 is absent, and then, possibly, the movement of the mobile units is controlled, e.g., limited to a certain path, by management unit 470, which may be transmitted/received via electrical means, Bluetooth, internet, WiFi and the like, by controller 310, included in mobile unit 140, by marks, such as marks 480, 481 and 482 on ramp 405 or rail 410 or by any other appropriate means.

Mobile unit 140 may be adapted to perform various treatments and operations. For example, mobile unit 415 may disinfect animals (e.g., udders or teats) by spraying a disinfectant liquid. For example, mobile unit 415 may include a container or tank that stores iodine and treatment units 240 may include a nozzle or jet for spraying the iodine on the animals, e.g., after milking is completed and a milking unit was removed. Treatment units 240 may include a component adapted to warm or heat the udder or other part of an animal, accordingly, a mobile unit as described herein may heat an organ of the livestock, e.g., by attaching a heating component to the livestock or placing a heating component in the proximity thereof.

In one embodiment, a mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 140) may include a tank or container that stores water or other liquids usable for cleaning or washing the livestock and/or cleaning or washing ramp 405. For example, nozzles included in treatments units 240 may eject water or other liquids on animals standing on ramp 405. Nozzles or jets included in treatments units 240 may be used to wash ramp 405. Acting as a robot, a mobile unit described herein may move/extend arm 215 such that nozzles or jets are directed to wash a livestock or wash ramp 405.

Treatments units 240 and/or sensing units 230 may include a camera usable for acquiring an image. It is noted that throughout, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, the camera may be replaced with any other appropriate device, such as a laser scanner and the like. It is further noted that, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, any unit may include more than one device for acquiring an image, possibly two different types of devices. For example, arm 215 may place or aim a camera included in sensing units 230 such that an image of any desired part of the animal, such as an animal's belly, buttock or udder is captured. An image acquired as described may be used for attaching a milking unit (e.g., by determining exact or relevant location of teats), for diagnosing any possible condition or the like. An image may be used to identify an animal. For example, by analyzing an image of an udder or an image of a mark on an animal's body, the animal may be identified. For example, hot-iron branding on a belly of an animal may be identified by processing an image of the animal's belly and using known image or pattern recognition methods. For example, an image of the animal's belly may be processed by controller 310 or controller 474, a mark may be identified in the processed image and a database that includes a list of the animals and their respective marks may be used in order to identify the animal. Other marks (e.g., made using freezing, e.g., using liquid nitrogen or dry ice) may be similarly identified. Accordingly, sensing units 230 may include a sensing device for identifying the livestock.

Other devices or sensors included in treatments units 240 and/or sensing units 230 may be devices or sensors for testing for pregnancy as known in the art. For example, an ultrasound sensing device included in sensing units 230 may be used to capture a heartbeat of a fetus. It is noted that, although sensing units 230, treatment units 240 and gripping unit 250 are depicted on the distal end of arm 215, according to different embodiments they may be positioned on arm 215 or on mobile unit 140 at any appropriate location, and further, their location on arm 215 or mobile unit 140 may be changed, as required.

Any data acquired by sensing units 230 may be stored. For example, images acquired by a camera, laser scanner or any other appropriate device, or signals acquired by a sensor may be stored on data storage unit 340. Any data stored on data storage unit 340 may be downloaded or uploaded to a remote computer or data in data storage unit 340 may be communicated over a network. Data in data storage unit 340 may be transferred or copied using a direct wire, e.g., using a USB port included in mobile unit 140. Accordingly, it will be understood that data acquired, processed or generated by mobile units such as 441, 442, 443, 444, 445 and/or 140 may be available to other components of system 400.

In one embodiment, mobile unit 140 (or similar mobile units shown in FIG. 4) may travel to a predefined location under an animal and perform operations described herein when located at the predefined spot or location. For example, an optimal location for treating an animal may be right under the animal, possibly at a short distance from the udder. At the predefined location, mobile unit 140 may rotate or otherwise move or maneuver such that it is at a selected, possibly pre-defined, orientation. For example, mobile unit 140 may rotate itself such that arm 215 is at minimal distance from holders 430.

To determine its location, mobile unit 140 may use any applicable system or technique. For example, controller 310 (or controller 474) may use image processing techniques in order to determine a location of mobile unit 140, based on video or images received from a camera or any other appropriate device in sensor units 230.

An electro-mechanic switch may be used in order to enable mobile unit 140 to determine it has reached a predefined spot in a stall. For example, a mechanical sensor included in mobile unit 140 may be configured to detect a mark on rail 410. For example, rail 410 may include a bulge (or cavity or hole) that marks a center of a stall and a rod connected to a micro-switch included in mobile unit 140 may slide along rail 410 and activate the micro-switch when reaching the bulge or cavity. An activation of the micro-switch may enable mobile unit 140 to determine it is located in a center of a stall. An optical sensor included in mobile unit 140 may detect an optically detectable signal emitted from a source placed in a center of a stall. In yet other embodiments, a mark may be or may include a magnet placed in a stall and a sensor adapted to sense a change in magnetic flux may be included in mobile unit 140, such that mobile unit 140 may stop or park in a stall based on a sensed magnetic field or flux.

In an embodiment, ramp 130 includes stalls for containing the livestock. For example, when entering platform 405 as shown by arrow 460, animals enter separate stalls.

In an embodiment, the floor of ramp 405 includes markings or marks that are detectable by the mobile units. For example, a mark may be placed at the center of each stall in ramp 130. For example, the mark may be an RF beacon, a specific color, e.g. paint, and the like. A sensor included in sensors 330 may detect a mark (e.g., by identifying the color of the mark or picking up an RF beacon). Based on identifying the location of the mark, mobile unit may travel to a location defined based on the location of the mark. For example, mobile unit may position itself such that a specific part of the mobile unit, e.g., the center thereof, is right above the mark or in a predefined proximity thereof. For example, a sensor included in sensors 330 may send controller 310 the location of a mark (or a relative location with respect to a mobile unit) and controller 310 may cause motors 325 to move (e.g., by driving wheels 210) a mobile unit to a location that is closest to the mark. It will be understood that various other methods or components for enabling a mobile unit to determine its location in a stall may be used.

In an embodiment, a marking or mark may be placed on or within rail 410. Accordingly, in order to place a mobile unit right above the mark, controller 310 may only need to cause the mobile unit to move in one of two directions (e.g., either forwards or backwards). For example, marks placed on the floor of ramp 405 and/or on or in rail 410 and at the centers of stalls may be used by mobile units such as 444, 445 and/or 140 in order to determine their location with respect to a stall containing the livestock. For example, using a mark as described, a mobile unit may position itself under an animal in a stall.

As described, a system may include a unit for placing a milking unit in a housing. For example, a system may include an arm 425 adapted to fetch a milking unit from assembly 420 (where the milking units may have been washed or otherwise treated) and place the milking units in holders 430. It will be understood that holders 430 may be any suitable housing adapted to house the milking units.

Holders 430 may be located at a minimal distance from the animal and the location of holder 430, e.g., with respect to a center of a stall, may be known. Accordingly, when located right above a mark or in close proximity thereto, e.g., approximately in a center of a stall, a mobile unit may determine the relative location of holders 430. Accordingly, a mobile unit may be adapted to determine its location (e.g., in a stall) and, based on its location, determine the location of holders 430. Otherwise described, knowing its location in a stall, a mobile unit may readily determine the location of a milking equipment unit housed by holder 430. According to some embodiments, mobile unit 140 is designed to locate any necessary milking equipment, even if when the specific location of the mobile unit is not known.

In an embodiment, a mobile unit is adapted to detach a milking equipment unit from a housing or holder and attach the milking equipment unit to the dairy livestock. For example, using arm 215 and gripping unit 250, mobile unit 140 may detach a milking unit (e.g., a teat cup) from holders 430 and attach the milking unit to the milked animal. For example, the location of holders 430 (with respect to a center of a stall) may be known in advance, accordingly, controller 310 may cause arm 215 to move to holders 430 and grip a milking unit. As described, the location and/or shape of an udder may be known to mobile unit 140 (e.g., based on processing an image of the lower part of the animal as described). Accordingly, controller 310 may cause arm 215 to move to a location under an udder and lift teat cups such that they snap onto the teats (e.g., by force of vacuum in the teat cups as known in the art). It will be noted that when a mobile unit is located under an animal, possibly in the near proximity of the udder, the distance an arm of the milking unit needs to travel in order to fetch a milking unit and attached the milking unit to the animal is kept to a minimum. A milking unit may be, for example, a set of four teat cups or it may be one teat cup.

Using marks 480, 481 and 481 in stalls as described, a mobile unit may automatically travel from a first stall to a second stall. For example, detecting marks 480, 481 and 481 on a floor of ramp 130 as described, mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415 may travel from a first stall to a second stall. For example, to travel from a first to a second stall, mobile unit 442 may travel, along rail 410 until mark 480 is detected and determined to be right under any part of mobile unit 442. Leaving a first stall, a mobile unit may travel, along rail 410, till it detects mark 480. Detecting a mark on the floor of ramp 130 may indicate to a mobile unit that it is located in the proper position in a stall. In order to travel from a first stall to a third stall, a mobile unit may continue its motion after detecting a first mark till a second mark 481 is detected. Marks 480 and 481, for example, are placed on rail 410, while mark 482 is placed on the floor of ramp 130, and may be used, e.g., for a mobile unit not traveling on the rail, at least in that specific area in the vicinity of mark 482. Although for sake of simplicity only three marks are shown, and their position in the figure seems to be between the stalls, it is noted that any number of marks may be used, and they may be positioned as required, in the stalls, outside of the stalls, between the stalls, on the middle of the rail, and the like. It is further noted that as detailed above, different types of marks may be used, and further, the same system may include any number of any appropriate type of marks.

As shown by area 435, a system may include a service or maintenance area where mobile units may be parked and serviced or where samples obtained from the animals by the mobile unit may be collected and/or examined. Other operations may be performed when a mobile unit is hi area 435, for example, data stored in data storage unit 340 may be transferred or copied from a mobile unit when in area 435. In an embodiment, management unit 470 may cause a mobile unit to exit rail 410 and enter area 435. For example, rail 410 may include an arrangement similar to a railroad switch or turnout as used in trains. A turnout may be operated by electric motors that may be controlled by management unit 470 (e.g., using RF or wired communication).

Accordingly, by controlling a component of rail 410, management unit 470 may cause a mobile unit to travel to area 435, e.g., as shown by mobile unit 441. In an embodiment, management unit 470 may monitor movements and locations of mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415. For example, mobile units may report their location to management unit 470 or other means may be used (e.g., global positioning system components installed in mobile units). Accordingly, management unit 470 may determine when and how to operate a turnout such that a selected mobile unit travels into area 435.

Mobile units 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447 and 415 may collaborate and/or cooperate to complete a task, treatment or operation. As known in the art, a milking unit may include four teat cups that need to be attached to the four teats of a cow (the number and size varying according to the animal being milked). In an embodiment, a first mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 443) may be adapted to attach a first portion of a milking unit to the dairy livestock and a second mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 444) may be adapted to attach a second portion of the milking unit to the dairy livestock. For example, mobile unit 443 may attach a first teat cup, mobile unit 444 may attach a second teat cup and mobile units 445 and 446 may respectively attach the third and fourth teat cups. Mobile unit 442 may perform preparation related operations, e.g., washing, heating and the like. As described, by processing an image of an udder, the teats in the udder may be identified and their location may be calculated, for example using known computer image processing or recognition methods. For example, if the location of mobile unit 442, when acquiring an image of an udder, is known, and a location of a camera, laser scanner or the like, on arm 215 is known (e.g., since the location or position of arm 215 are known) then the location of objects in an image may be calculated. In some embodiments, a video stream may be produced by a camera, laser scanner or the like, carried by arm 215 and controller 310 may use a video stream to move/extend arm 215 such that it brings a milking unit to the teats. Any known methods used by robots or other automated systems may be used by mobile units in order to carry and place equipment such as a milking unit at a desired location or position. For example, any methods used by milking robots known in the art may be used by mobile units 415, 442 and 443. As noted, unlike milking robots placed outside a stall, in an embodiment, a milking robot may be, or may be included, in a small mobile unit adapted to move to a location under the livestock and perform operations from under the livestock, thus minimizing movement of an arm or other parts of the milking robot.

When a mobile unit completes its task in a current stall it may travel to the next stall, e.g., in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of ramp 405 or in the same directed as the rotation of ramp 405. Prior to moving to the next stall, a mobile unit may determine whether or not another mobile unit is located in the next stall. For example, as described, management unit 470 may monitor mobile units' locations and may therefore know whether or not mobile unit is located in a specific stall. Accordingly, a mobile unit may communicate with management unit 470 and may be advised whether or not it may move from its current stall to the next stall. In another embodiment, a mobile unit may communicate/coordinate with adjacent mobile units in order to determine their location and thus determine whether or not it may move into a stall. Accordingly, a mobile unit may automatically travel from a first stall to a second stall based on a command or information received from a management unit 470 and/or autonomously, based on information received from other mobile units.

In an embodiment, a plurality of mobile units may be configured to intercommunicate/coordinate in order to collaborate in performing an action related to treatment/testing of the dairy livestock. Collaboration or cooperation may be realized in various ways. For example, one mobile unit, e.g., mobile unit 442 that may be the first mobile unit to treat an animal in the current milking session, may include a camera, laser scanner or the like, for obtaining an image of the livestock. The image may be processed, e.g., by management unit 470 or by one of the mobile units, and a location of an organ of the livestock may be determined and possibly recorded. For example, using an image and provided with the location of the mobile unit that acquired the image, the location of an udder (and/or teats), with respect to a marking in a stall may be determined and possibly recorded. For example, coordinates of an udder or teats, relative to a mark in a stall may be sent to other mobile units. Accordingly, using an image obtained by mobile unit 442, mobile units 443, 444, 445, 446 and 447 may be informed, in advance, of the location of the udder or teat of the animal.

One (or more) mobile units in a plurality of mobile units may act as a backup unit. For example, mobile units 443, 444, 445 and 446 may each attach one of four teat cups to a cow (or two of a goat, etc.). For example, after mobile unit 443 attaches a first teat cup, it moves to the next stall and mobile unit 444 moves to the stall that mobile unit 443 left. Mobile unit 444 may then attach the second of four teat cups to the cow. Thus, mobile units may collaborate in attaching a complete milking assembly.

However, if one of mobile units 443, 444, 445 and 446 fails to attach a teat cup, it may report failure to management unit 470 (or to other mobile units) and mobile unit 447, when acting as a backup unit, may attach a teat cup that another mobile unit failed to attach. Adapted to communicate/coordinate either with each other or with a central management unit 470, mobile units may send and receive any information related to an operation performed by a set of mobile units. Accordingly, one mobile unit may correct errors or failures caused by another mobile unit. For example, a first mobile unit may automatically complete an action that at least one other mobile unit failed to complete as described.

In an embodiment, each mobile unit in a set of mobile units may be configured to communicate/coordinate with other mobile units included in the set. A set of mobile units may be configured to dynamically and automatically determine a portion of a treatment to be performed by each of the mobile units in a set. For example, mobile unit 444 may only move to the next stall if mobile unit 443 has left that stall. If mobile unit 444 completes attaching a teat cup as configured and cannot move to the next stall, mobile unit 444 may attach another teat cup, e.g., one typically attached by mobile unit 445. In an embodiment, distribution of sub-tasks may be configured (e.g., each mobile unit is configured to attach one specific teat cup). Mobile units may override a configured distribution of sub-tasks, e.g., a first mobile unit may perform a sub-task that was assigned to a second mobile unit in a configured distribution of sub-tasks.

It is noted that although the attachment of teat cups is related to herein, any sort of desired treatment/testing may be contemplated, such as cleaning, wherein one mobile unit applies disinfectant to a certain area on the animal, the second washes the disinfected area with water and the third dries the area. Testing may also be involved, e.g., utilizing syringes, wherein, after disinfecting/washing and possibly drying, a further mobile unit is utilized for retrieving a blood or milk sample.

Mobile units may send any information to management unit 470. For example, mobile units may report completion of a sub-task, failure to complete a task or sub-task and the like. Management unit 470 may be configured to be aware of the progress of the various tasks and to dynamically cause at least some of the mobile units to each perform a portion of a treatment. For example, provided with information from mobile units related to a progress of a treatment (e.g., milking), management unit 470 may dynamically allocate tasks to mobile units. For example, if mobile unit 445 reports a malfunction or a failure to attach a teat cup, management unit 470 may command mobile unit 444 to “fill in” for mobile unit 443, e.g., attach a teat cup that, in a previous configuration, was to be attached by mobile unit 443.

According to some embodiments, the distance between the mobile unit and the animal is between about 30-50 cm. According to some embodiments, the distance between the mobile unit and the animal is between about 20-30 cm. According to some embodiments, the distance between the mobile unit and the animal is between about 30-40 cm. According to some embodiments, the distance between the mobile unit and the animal is between about 40-50 cm. According to some embodiments, the distance between the mobile unit and the animal is between about 50-60 cm. It is noted that, although not limited to this definition, the distance between the mobile unit and the animal may be between any part, e.g., the base of the arm of the mobile unit and the position on the animal that is treated, e.g., the udder, such that the distance between the mobile unit and the animal is essentially the distance that the arm extends. According to other embodiments, the distance between the mobile unit may be measured between it's position on the ramp relative to the position of the animal or the area on the animal that it treated.

A movement of a mobile unit from one stall to another may be synchronized or based on a movement of another mobile unit. For example, when mobile unit 442 has finished washing the animal in its current stall it may move to the next stall and inform mobile unit 443 that it may move to the stall that mobile unit 442 just left. In another embodiment, mobile unit 442 reports to management unit 470 that it has finished its tasks in the current stall and may request permission from management unit 470 to move to the next stall. Management unit 470 may keep track of the location of all mobile units in system 400 (e.g., based on reports from the mobile units as described). Accordingly, management unit 470 may determine whether or not a mobile unit may move to the next stall (e.g., by determining no other mobile unit is present in the next stall), to the maintenance area or the like.

Mobile units and management unit 470 may share information. For example, an image taken by mobile unit 442 (that may be the first unit to treat an animal in a milking session) may be shared by all mobile units in system 400. Data (e.g., coordinates of teats in an udder) determined based on an image taken by one of the mobile units may be shared by some of or all of the units. For example, management unit 470 may receive an image from mobile unit 442, determine, based on the image, the location of the animal's teats with respect to the stall or with respect to a known location within a stall, and provide the coordinates to mobile units 442, 443, 444, 445, 446 and 447.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, presenting embodiments of system 500 assembled in a parallel milking parlor. As shown in FIG. 5A, the livestock load into stalls 501, 502, 503, 504 and the like, while mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 are positioned in parking area 560. It is noted that any number of mobile units may be used, including a single mobile unit and that for illustration reasons only a certain number of a plurality of mobile units is presented. It is further noted that although different numbers have been designated to different mobile units in the same or different figures, any of the mobile units may include any of the embodiments detailed regarding any of the other mobile units, including mobile unit 140. It is further noted that according to some embodiments, the system includes parking area 565, which may be used by the same or additional mobile units. According to some embodiments, the system includes both parking areas 560 and 565. It is further noted that any of the parking area may be used for parking, maintenance and the like.

As presented, stalls 501, 502, 503, 504 and the like are arranged on two parallel ramps 510 and 520, between which is milking pit 550. As presented, according to some embodiments, mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 are positioned on or attached to rails 515 and 525, which stretch along platforms 510 and 520, respectively, and according to some embodiments, as shown, extend into parking area 560.

Once the livestock are loaded into stalls 501, 502, 503, 504 and the like, they remain within the stalls until the treatment thereof has been concluded. In this respect it is noted that although milking is the main treatment described herein, any other types of treatment could be performed according to the invention. While the livestock remain in the stalls, any number of mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 may leave parking area 560. It is noted that according to embodiments of the invention, the mobile units are stationary while the livestock are “on the move”, i.e., not confined to the stall, while when the livestock are confined to the stalls, the mobile units may be mobile, entering the stalls for treating the livestock. Accordingly, the chances of collisions and the like, between the livestock and the mobile units and kept to a minimum.

As presented in FIG. 5B, once the livestock are confined to stalls 501, 502, 503, 504 and the like, mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 leave parking area 560. According to some embodiments, mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 leave parking area 560 only after the positions of the livestock in stalls 501, 502, 503, 504 and the like have been identified/verified by any appropriate means, such as sensors positioned on the livestock, in the stalls and the like. As detailed herein, any number of controllers, management units, RF units, memory units, and the like may be included in the system and may provide data, e.g., regarding the position of the livestock, the position of the mobile units, any health parameters of the livestock, the stage of treatment and the like.

According to some embodiments, as shown, mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 move along rails 515 and 525 from parking area 560 along ramps 510 and 520. As shown, rails 515 and 525 are positioned along ramps 510 and 520, respectively, such that when the livestock is confined to the stalls, rails 515 and 525 are positioned between the fore and hind legs of the livestock. Therefore, mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 moving along rails 515 and 525 are also located on a path that passes between the fore and hind legs of the livestock, from where they perform any necessary treatments on the livestock. It is noted that one mobile unit may fully treat any one of the livestock, while according to other embodiments, a plurality of mobile units may treat any one of the livestock, such that each one of the plurality of mobile units performs part of the treatment. It is further noted that although two rails 515 and 525 are presented, any other configuration of a rail or number of rails is possible. For example, the rails may not extend into parking area 560. For example the rails may include any number of branches, e.g., within the parking area, or leading from any point on the ramp to any other point, e.g., into the milking pit, into designated areas in the milking pit or into other areas surrounding the ramp, which may be used, e.g., for removing or repairing malfunctioned mobile units from the ramp, for introducing additional mobile units, when necessary, for removing/replacing or exchanging parts of the mobile units and the like. For example, rails 515 and 525 may be connected to one another, e.g., in parking area 560, essentially providing one continuous rail. For example, any number of bridges may be formed between rails 515 and 525, e.g., over milking pit 550. According to some embodiments, any such branches, bridges and the like are designed such that human operators in the milking pit are not endangered by the mobile units, e.g., the branches/bridges are designed to be above the heads of the human operators, the branches/bridges are positioned in predefined areas to which the access of human operators is limited, at least when functioning mobile are present or may be present therein, and the like. It is noted that the rails referred to herein may be considered to be, or replaced by, any other type of guide, pathfinder or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5C, once the treatment of the livestock has been concluded, mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 return to parking area 560 along rails 515 and 525. Once mobile units 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 and 546 are parked in parking area 560, the livestock exits stalls 501, 502, 503, 504 and the like, as presented in FIG. 5C, wherein the livestock have already partially exited stalls 501 and 502.

It is further noted that any embodiments detailed above regarding system 400 in a rotary milking parlor, e.g., management unit 470, and the like, may be used, possibly after any necessary adjustments, in a system assembled in a parallel milking parlor, such as system 500, unless those embodiments are not appropriate for a parallel parlor setup. Further, any embodiments detailed regarding system 500 in a parallel milking parlor may be used, possibly after any necessary adjustments, in a system assembled in a rotary milking parlor, such as system 400, unless those embodiments are not appropriate for a rotary parlor setup.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, presenting embodiments of system 600, in a parallel milking parlor, wherein only part of one of the two parallel ramps is shown. As shown, rail 615 extends along ramp 610 and mobile units 641, 642, 643 and 644 move along rail 615, between the fore and hind legs of the livestock, while treating the livestock. According to some embodiments, any one of mobile units 641, 642, 643 and 644 may be mobile or stationary at any appropriate time or point along rail 615 and/or during the treatment of the livestock on ramp 610. For example, while treating a certain one of the livestock, any one of the mobile units may be parked under that livestock, at least for the time necessary to complete the treatment, or part of treatment, as necessary. It is further noted that, although a certain embodiment is presented, any coordination between the various mobile units is possible. For example, each livestock may be fully treated by one of the mobile units. For example, any number of mobile units may treat each livestock, wherein each one of the mobile units performs part of the overall necessary treatment. It is further noted that although four mobile units are depicted in FIG. 6, any number of mobile units, including a single mobile unit or a plurality of mobile units may be used according to embodiments of the invention.

As presented in FIG. 6, assuming that the mobile units are loaded onto ramp 610 from the right hand side, mobile unit 641 is the first mobile unit to pass under the livestock. According to some embodiments, when the treatment of the livestock includes milking, mobile unit 641 may be used for any necessary pre-milking task, such as cleaning and sanitizing the udders, stimulating the milk production, and the like. According to some embodiments, mobile unit 641 parks under each and every one of the livestock along the ramp, beginning on the right side in stall 601, and performing the designated part of the required treatment, e.g., pre-milking sanitizing the udders and stimulating milk production. According to some embodiments, mobile unit 641 includes any of the necessary pre-milking equipment, including brushes and sanitizing liquid, which may be stored on mobile unit 641 in a designated receptacle. According to some embodiments, any of the pre-milking equipment may be positioned on the ramp, e.g., in the stalls, at a position that mobile unit 641 may easily reach when positioned to treat the livestock. For example, each stall may comprise a receptacle holding sanitizing fluid and/or at least one brush. According to some embodiments, holders 620, 630 and the like may comprise any necessary pre-milking equipment. According to some embodiments, a separate unit comprising a reservoir of pre-milking disinfection liquid, brushes or any other equipment, may be conveyed along the rail, where it may be reached, e.g., by any one of the mobile units performing the pre-milking tasks.

Once mobile unit 641 has completed the pre-milking task on the animal in stall 601, it may move on into stall 602, where it may again park and treat the animal confined to stall 602. As detailed herein, any number of marks may be included on ramp 610 and/or on rail 615, enabling the proper positioning of any one of the mobile units as well as enabling the movement of any one of the mobile units from stall to stall.

Once mobile unit 641 leaves stall 601, second mobile unit 642 may enter stall 601. As detailed herein, the coordination between the various mobile units may be performed by any appropriate means, including direct communication between any of the mobile units, communication between the mobile units and a central management unit, sensors that are part of the milking parlor, e.g., on the ramp, in the stalls, from above the stalls, in the milking pit, and the like, which communicate with the mobile units and/or a central management unit.

Mobile unit 642 may be designated to connect any number of teat cups to the livestock. As detailed herein, the teat cups according to the invention are considered to be part of the milking parlor/platform/ramp/stalls, not part of the mobile unit, and accordingly, the milk passing through those teat cups passes directly into the main milk-line and is not stored in any receptacle on the mobile unit or the like. It is noted that, as known in the field, if certain milk should not enter the main milk-line for any reasons, such as it being milked from a cow receiving antibiotics, known methods may be used to prevent that particular milk from entering the main milk-line. Known methods may also be used to classify, test or identify the milk and/or its components.

Since the teat cups, e.g., teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624, as well as teat cups 631, 632, 633, 634 and the like, are part of the milking parlor/platform/ramp, not part of the mobile unit, they may be positioned on ramp 610 at a position at which the mobile units may easily reach them. According to some embodiments, teat cups 621, 621, 623, 624, 631, 632, 633, 634 and the like are held in designated holders 620, 630 and the like. It is noted that although only a certain number of holders and teat cups are specifically related to herein, any appropriate number thereof may be included in system 600, as required according to the type of livestock, number of livestock and the like.

Each of holders 620, 630 and the like may hold any required number of teat cups, such as two or four. The number of teat cups per holder may change according to the number of teats the particular animal being milked has. As mentioned above, holders 620, 630 and the like are positioned in the milking parlor, e.g., on ramp 610, at a position where they can be readily reached by the mobile units. According to some embodiments, holders 620, 630 and the like are positioned between every two stalls 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like. Further, in order for the number of holders to match the number of stalls, an additional holder may be positioned before the first stall (according to the depicted embodiment, to the right of the first stall 601) or after the last stall (according to the depicted embodiment, to the left of the last stall). According to other embodiments, holders 620, 630 and the like are positioned about in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal confined to each stall.

According to some embodiments, holders 620, 630 and the like do not extend into milking pit 650. According to some embodiments, holders 620, 630 and the like extend into milking pit 650 by up to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 cm.

According to some embodiments, the position of holders 620, 630 and the like, including their configuration, e.g., folded or unfolded, may change during the treatment of the livestock. According to some embodiments, while the livestock enter stalls 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like, holders 620, 630 and the like extend, at least partially, out of ramp 610 into any part of the milking parlor, including, though not limited to, milking pit 650. For example, while the livestock enter stalls 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like, holders 620, 630 and the like, may be positioned, at least partially, in milking pit 650, such that the entrance of the livestock into stalls 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like is not hindered by holders 620, 630 and the like. Once the livestock are positioned in stalls 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like, holders 620, 630 and the like may remain in their position (between the stalls, though, at least partially, outside ramp 610, e.g., in milking pit 650), from where the mobile unit will remove the necessary equipment. According to such an embodiment, the arm of the mobile unit extends into milking pit 650 by up to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 cm. According to other embodiments, once the livestock are positioned in stalls 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like, the position of holders 620, 630 and the like may be changed, such that holders 620, 630 and the like move, at least partially, from milking pit 650 (or from any other appropriate area in the milking parlor), into a position between the stalls on the platform/ramp and/or into a position between the hind legs of the animal confined to the stall. According to such an embodiment, the arm of the mobile unit may not extend into milking pit 650 (or into any other appropriate area in the milking parlor). According to some embodiments, all of the holders move at the same time. According to other embodiments, any one of the holders may move, in or out of the position between the stalls, at a designated time, e.g., when the equipment therein, e.g., teat cups, is to be reached by a mobile unit, or when the livestock are confined to the two stalls between which the holder is positioned (or to any one of the stalls at the ends of ramp 610) or to the stall in which the holder is positioned, if the holder is about in line with the space between the hind legs of the animal confined to the stall. According to some embodiments, the movement of the holders and/or the configuration change thereof, is performed by any appropriate means, which may be mechanical, manual, electronic or automatic. According to some embodiments, the movement or configuration change of the holders is initiated according to any signal received from any appropriate sensors, which may be either part of the milking platform or of the mobile unit. According to some embodiments, any one of the mobile units may grab an edge of any one of the holders and either pull it, at least partially, into ramp 610 or push it, at least partially, away from ramp 610. According to some embodiments, when mobile unit 641, or any other mobile unit, is positioned in stall 605, it may grab holder 630 and pull it into a predefined area in stall 605 or into a predefined area between stalls 605 and 606 in order for mobile unit 641, and/or any other mobile unit, to be able to easily reach and withdraw teat cups 631, 632, 633 and 634 from holder 630. Once the milking is completed and teat cups 631, 632, 633 and 634 are removed from the livestock and returned to holder 630, mobile unit 641, or any other mobile unit, may push holder 630, at least partially, out from stall 605 or from between stalls 605 and 606 into milking pit 650 (or any other predefined area). It is noted that, although not shown, instead of the holders moving in and out of the ramp, they may be moved out of the way of the livestock, e.g., by elevation, depression, folding in any appropriate direction and the like. Once the milking is concluded and the holders are out of the way, the livestock may leave ramp 610, as presented, e.g., in FIG. 5C, without the movements thereof being hindered by holders 620, 630 and the like and without holders 620, 630 and the like being disturbed by movements of the livestock.

According to some embodiments, one mobile unit, e.g., mobile unit 643 attaches all of the teat cups, e.g., teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624, to the animal confined in a stall, e.g., stall 601. According to other embodiments, a number of mobile units, e.g., mobile units 642 and 643 attached the teat cups, e.g., teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624 to the animal confined in the stall, e.g., stall 601, wherein each one of the mobile units, e.g., mobile units 642 and 643 attaches a number of teat cups, e.g., teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624 to the animal. According to some embodiments, mobile unit 642 attaches teat cups 621 and 622 to the animal in stall 601, and subsequently moves on towards stall 602 (where it may also attach two teat cups to the animal confined to stall 602). Once mobile unit 642 has moved out of stall 601 mobile unit 643 may enter stall 601. Mobile unit 643 may then park in stall 601 (or remain relatively stationary, e.g., reduce its speed in comparison to its speed when moving in and out of stalls) and then withdraw teat cups 623 and 624 from holder 620 and attached them to the animal confined to stall 601. Once all four teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624 are attached to the animal, the milking may begin. Further, though not shown, four different mobile units may each attached one teat cup to the animal in stall 601 and to any other animals in any of the other stalls.

According to some embodiments, the order in which the teat cups are attached to the animal is random. According to other embodiments, the teat cups are attached to the animal in a predefined order, such that the tubes leading from the teat cups to the milk-line do not get tangled, and further, so that the attachment of one teat cup does not cause a different teat cup to detach from the animal's udder. For example, the mobile units may attach two teat cups near the hind legs of the animal and subsequently attach the next two teat cups closer to the front of the animal. For example, if the teat cups are taken from a holder on the left side of the animal, the first teat cups to be attached could be on the right hand side of the animal. For example, the teat cups may be attached in the order of the teat cups designated 621, 622, 623 and 624, as depicted. According to some embodiments, the removal of the teat cups from the animal is performed in a random order. According to some embodiments, the removal of the teat cups from the animal is performed in the same or the opposite order as the attachment of the teat cups to the animal. According to some embodiments, the removal of the teat cups from the animal may be performed according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above regarding the attachment of the teat cups, or opposite thereto, wherein the attachment and the removal orders may or may not be dependent on one another.

According to some embodiments, as presented in FIG. 6, the teat cups are arranged in a straight line array in the holder. According to some embodiments (not shown), the teat cups may be arranged in a staggered array in the holder. According to some embodiments (not shown), the teat cups may be arranged in two or more parallel lines in the holder.

According to some embodiments, the order in which the teat cups are withdrawn from the holders is random. According to other embodiments, the teat cups are withdrawn from the holders in a predefined order, inter alia, preventing the tubes attached thereto from tangling. According to some embodiments, the teat cups may be withdrawn from the holder from back to front. According to some embodiments, the teat cups may be withdrawn from the holder from front to back. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are withdrawn from the holder from left to right or from right to left. According to some embodiments, if the teat cups are arranged in two parallel lines in the holder, the left line is withdrawn first and then the right line, or vice versa. According to some embodiments, if the teat cups are arranged in two parallel lines in the holder, the teat cups in the back are withdrawn first and then the teat cups in the front, or vice versa. According to some embodiments, the teat cups are returned to the holders in a random order. According to some embodiments, the return of the teat cups to the holder is performed in the same or the opposite order as the removal of the teat cups from the holder. According to some embodiments, the return of the teat cups to the holder may be performed according to any one of the embodiment disclosed above regarding the removal of the teat cups form the holder, or opposite thereto, wherein the removal and return orders may or may not be dependent on one another.

Once the milking stage has been concluded and the teat cups are returned to the holders, a mobile unit may perform any necessary post-milking treatment, such as post-milking washing, disinfection and the like. According to some embodiments, the same mobile unit that performs at least part of the milking process, e.g., mobile unit 643, may perform the post-milking treatment. According to other embodiments, an additional mobile unit, e.g., mobile unit 644 may perform the post-milking treatment. According to some embodiments, the post-milking treatment is performed after all of the animals have been milked and all of the teat cups have been returned to the holders. According to some embodiments, the post-milking treatment is performed after at least one animal has been milked and the teat cups attached thereto have been returned to their holder. For example, once the animal confined to stall 601 has been milked and teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624 have been returned to holder 620, mobile unit 643 may perform the post-milking treatment on that animal, regardless of whether the other animals have been fully milked or whether all of the teat cups have been removed therefrom. According to other embodiments and as presented in FIG. 6, once the animal confined to stall 601 has been milked and teat cups 621, 622, 623 and 624 have been returned to holder 620, mobile unit 643 may move along rail 615, e.g., into stall 602 and then, mobile unit 644 enters stall 601 and performs the post-milking treatment on the animal confined thereto. According to some embodiments, mobile unit 644 parks under each and every one of the livestock along the ramp, beginning on the right side in stall 601, and performing the designated part of the required treatment, e.g., post-milking treatment, regardless of whether the other animals have been fully milked or whether all of the teat cups have been removed therefrom.

According to some embodiments, the equipment necessary for the post-milking treatment, e.g. brushes and post-dip liquid, is part of ramp 615 or of each or any one of the stalls. If the equipment is part of the ramp or stall, it is positioned therein at a position convenient for the mobile unit to reach. According to some embodiments, the post-milking equipment may be included in holders 620, 630 and the like. According to other embodiments, the equipment necessary for the post-milking treatment, e.g. brushes and post-dip liquid, is part of the mobile unit performing the post-milking treatment. For example, mobile unit 644 may comprise at least one brush as well as a receptacle for post-dip liquid. According to some embodiments, a separate unit comprising a reservoir of post-dip liquid, brushes or any other equipment, may be conveyed along the rail, where it may be reached, e.g., by any one of the mobile units performing the pre-milking tasks.

Regarding the coordination between several mobile units it is noted that mobile unit 644 may enter stall 601 only after mobile unit 643 has, at least partially, exited stall 601, moving towards stall 602. This is true for all stalls and mobile units along ramp 615 in order to prevent collisions and the like between the various mobile units. Accordingly, in order for a plurality of mobile units to operate in a parallel milking parlor, it may be necessary to design ramp 610, rail 615 and/or to program the coordination between the different mobile units (641, 642, 643, 644 and the like) so as to prevent collisions since, if all of the mobile units are programmed to reach the left end of ramp 610, and since all are moving in a straight line along ramp 610, they may inevitably run into one another in the left-most stalls, unless designed otherwise.

For example, even if a plurality of mobile units is used, each mobile unit may be programmed and designed to perform all of the milking tasks, including pre- and post-milking, such that each one of the mobile units operates in a certain number of stalls, according to the order in which the mobile units enter ramp 610. For example, mobile unit 641 may treat the livestock confined to stalls 607 and 608, mobile unit 642 may treat livestock confined to stalls 605 and 606, mobile unit 643 may treat livestock confined to stalls 603 and 604 and mobile unit 644 may treat livestock confined to stalls 601 and 602. Once mobile unit 644 completes the treatment of the livestock on stalls 601 and 602, it may exit ramp 610 on the right, followed by mobile units 643, 642 and 641, in the opposite order in which they entered ramp 610.

According to other embodiments, a first mobile unit, e.g., mobile unit 641, may perform the pre-milking treatment on all of the livestock on ramp 610. After the pretreatment is performed, mobile unit 641 exits ramp 610 and then, either one or more mobile units enter ramp 610 to perform the milking tasks (attaching and then removing teat cups). If more than one mobile unit is designated to perform the milking tasks, the various mobile units may each operated in predefined stalls, e.g., mobile unit 642 may perform the milking tasks in stalls 605, 606, 607 and 608, while mobile unit 643 may perform the milking tasks in stalls 601, 602, 603 and 604. Once the milking task are completed, mobile units 643 and 642 exit ramp 610 in the opposite order in which they entered ramp 610. Once ramp 610 is free of mobile units, an additional mobile unit, e.g., mobile unit 644, may enter ramp 610 and perform the post-milking treatments in all of the stalls. In this respect it is noted, that although embodiments with only one mobile unit for performing pre- and post-milking treatments have been described, those treatments may be performed by any number of mobile units, each operating is predefined stalls, as described regarding the milking.

According to some embodiments, system 600 includes two parking areas, one on the right of ramp 610, in which the mobile units may be parked before entering ramp 610 and one on the left of ramp 610, in which the mobile units may be parked after leaving ramp 610. Accordingly, any number of tasks may be performed by any number of mobile units, each treating one or more livestock, wherein several mobile units may treat the same livestock, in turn, as detailed herein, and wherein once a specific mobile unit, which enters ramp 610 on the right, performs its designated tasks along ramp 610, it may exit ramp 610 on the left, allowing additional mobile units into the leftmost stalls on ramp 610. For example, mobile unit 641 performs pre-milking treatment in stalls 601-608, and is followed by mobile unit 642, which attaches teat cups to the livestock in stalls 601-608; however, before mobile unit 642 enters stall 608, mobile unit 641 exits ramp 610 on the left, e.g., into a second parking area (not shown), thus allowing mobile unit 642 to enter stall 608. Mobile unit 643 may then remove teat cups, after milking in all stalls 601-608, in the same manner, followed by mobile unit 644, which performs post-milking treatment in all stalls 601-608. It is noted that if two such parking areas are present, the mobile units may, in certain instances, leave the right parking area to treat the livestock and enter the left parking area after treating the livestock, while in other instances they may leave the left parking area to treat the livestock and enter the right parking area after treatment.

According to some embodiments, rail 615 includes any number of branches, allowing a first mobile unit to pass a second mobile unit, while the second mobile unit moves to any one of the branches. According to some embodiments, each ramp 610 may include a stall that remains vacant, such that mobile units may use the vacant stall to park, pass one another and the like. Such embodiments are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Reference is now made to FIG. 7A, presenting system 700, assembled in a parallel milking parlor (only part of one of the parallel platforms/ramps is shown), wherein rail 715, along which mobile units 741, 742, 743 and 744 move, stretches across ramp 710. As shown in FIG. 7A, mobile units 741, 742, 743 and 744 may move along rail 715 in a straight line, one after the other. Rail 715, as well as ramp 710, including vacant stall 705, are designed such that when necessary, any one of the mobile units may pass any other mobile unit. Particularly, rail 715 may include any number of branches, which may extend in any appropriate direction, such as branches 716 and 717. The length and specific position of each branch may depend on the size of the mobile units, the size of the stalls, the size of the ramp, the size of the livestock and the like. It is further noted that the position of other equipment, such as teat cup holders, as detailed above regarding FIG. 6, may be taken into account when designing any branches, such as branches 716 and 717. The areas in which the animals stand and in which they are most prone to kick may also be taken into account when designing branches in rail 715.

According to some embodiments, ramp 710 includes at least one vacant stall, such as stall 705, which remains vacant throughout the treatment process. Rail 715 may be designed to include any branches or loops, such as loop 718 which extend into vacant stall 705. Although in FIG. 7A vacant stall 705 is depicted as the last stall on ramp 710, it is noted that the position of the vacant stall may be determined to be different in every milking parlor. If the vacant stall is indeed the last stall on ramp 710, rail 715 may extend further until the end of ramp 710, or beyond, e.g., as presented by rail extension 719. According to other embodiments, rail 715 ends or loops in the last vacant stall. According to other embodiments, rail 715 ends in a loop towards the end of ramp 710, in an area beyond the stalls (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 7B, presenting mobile unit 744, which passed mobile units 743 and 741, which are located on branches 716 and 717, respectively. Mobile unit 744 may move further to the left hand side of ramp 710 and, if necessary, may pass mobile unit 742, positioned on loop 718, and possibly further move to rail extension 719. In this respect it is noted that the structure of loop 718 may vary, for example, it may include the inner path in the loop, as shown, or not. Using such a structure, each one of the mobile units may perform part of the treatment on the livestock and further, they may all be on ramp 710 at the same time, while the coordination between their movements includes the, possibly temporary, parking of any one of the mobile units on any one of the branches/loops in rail 715. For example, mobile unit 741 may perform the pre-milking treatment, followed by mobile unit 742, which attaches two teat cups (not shown) to the animals in all of the stalls. Once mobile unit 741 finalizes the pre-milking task in stall 704, it may move towards branch 717, allowing mobile unit 742 to pass by it into stall 704. Further, mobile unit 742 may be followed by mobile unit 743, which attaches two more teat cups to the animals in all of the stalls. In order for mobile unit 743 to also be able to enter stall 704 without colliding with mobile unit 742, mobile unit 742 may move further into stall 705 onto loop 718. Finally, mobile unit 744 may perform the post-milking treatment. In order for mobile unit 744 to be able to enter stall 704 without colliding with mobile unit 743, mobile unit 743 may move on into vacant stall 705 onto loop 718 (not shown, e.g., on the bottom part of loop 718, so as not to collide with mobile unit 742) or further onto rail extension 719 (not shown). According to other embodiments, mobile unit 743 may move back along rail 715 and enter branch 716 before mobile unit crosses rail 715 at the branching point of branch 716. Then mobile unit 744 is free to move on into any one of the stalls along ramp 710. When exiting ramp 710 and returning to the parking area to the right of ramp 710 (not shown), the mobile units may move in any appropriate order, e.g., in the opposite order in which they entered the ramp, such that mobile unit 744 returns to the parking area first, followed by mobile units 743, 742 and 741 in successive order. According to other embodiments, the mobile units may return according to their position on ramp 710, such that the rightmost mobile unit returns first. For example, according to FIG. 7B, the mobile units may return to the parking area on the right of ramp 710 (not shown) in the following order: mobile unit 743 (from branch 716), mobile unit 741 from branch 717, mobile unit 744 from stall 704 and finally, mobile unit 742 from loop 718. Any other order is also possible, as long as none of the mobile units collide with any other mobile unit. According to some embodiments, the coordination between the various mobile units, including their positions on the branches and loops along the rail and their sequence of movements along the rail and in and out of the parking area, may be optimized such that the overall treatment time is minimized.

According to some embodiments, rail 715 loops out of ramp 710. In this respect, reference is made to FIGS. 7C and 7D. In FIG. 7C, for example rail 715 loops out of ramp 710, into (or over) milking pit 750, and back into parking area 760. Thus each one of the mobile units may perform any part of the treatment and none of them interfere with the others, since they loop out of ramp 710 into/over milking pit 750, in the same successive order that they enter ramp 710. It is noted that in order for human operators to be able to enter milking pit 750 it may be essential to design rail 715 such that the human operators are not in danger from the mobile units. According to some embodiments, rail 715 loops out of ramp 710 and is elevated in height and possibly placed on a plank, such that it passes over milking pit 750 in such a way that human operators are not endangered by the mobile units. According to further embodiments, rail 715 loops into milking pit 750 adjacent to ramp 710, possible fitted to a plank adjacent to ramp 710, such that the space occupied by the rail and the mobile units operating thereon is minimal. According to some embodiments, the space occupied by the rail and the mobile units may be separated from the surrounding milking pit areas by any appropriate means such as a barrier, bar and the like. According to some embodiments, the barrier may be moveable, by any appropriate means, such that it blocks part of the milking pit only when mobile units are found therein or may be found therein, or may be mobile therein. In FIG. 7D for example, rail 715 loops out of ramp 710 in the area where the animals usually leave the stalls. In order for the animals and the mobile units to be separate, it is possible for the rail to travel at a height above the tallest animal, possibly attached to or on a plank. It is further possible for the rail to travel in a path that is ordinarily not occupied by the livestock. It is also possible to have any type of bar, border, trench, fence or the like, surrounding the area the rail passes through, not allowing the livestock to enter the rail area.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, presenting an embodiment in which each of mobile units 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 includes a control unit 1451, 1452, 1453 and 1454, respectively, such that any one of mobile units 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 may communicate/coordinate with any of the other mobile units, as well as with any other communicating entities in the milking parlor (not shown). FIG. 9 presents an embodiment in which mobile units 1541, 1542, 1543 and 1544 all communicate with central management unit 1550, and possibly with other communicating entities in the milking parlor (not shown). Further, FIG. 10 presents an embodiment in which each of mobile units 1641, 1642, 1643 and 1644 includes a control unit 1651, 1652, 1653 and 1654, respectively, such that any one of mobile units 1641, 1642, 1643, and 1644 may communicate/coordinate with any of the other mobile units, as well as with central management unit 1650 and possibly with other communicating entities in the milking parlor (not shown). It is noted that the arrows in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 present communication between the two entities the arrows connect. It is further noted that the communication may be wired, or wireless, as detailed herein, and that it may be one-way or two way communication, as required.

As detailed above, the communication between the mobile units, directly or indirectly, via, e.g., control units 1451, 1452, 1453, 1454, 1651, 1652, 1653 or 1654, central management unit 1550 or 1650, or any other communicating entities in the milking parlor (not shown), may optimize the treatment of the livestock, enabling the various mobile units to perform different parts of the same task, to treat different animals, to take over tasks from one another when required, e.g., when one mobile unit malfunctions, to change roles before, during or after the treatment, to refrain from colliding and the like.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, presenting an embodiment of the vertical upright teat cup holders. As shown in FIG. 11, the vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 holds teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 vertically upright, wherein the holes into which the teat enters (not shown) face upwards. In order to maintain vacuum in the system, without having a valve on each one of tubes 1111, 1112 and 1114, which lead milk from teat cups 1101, 1102 and 1104, respectively, (or on the tube leading from teat cup 1103, which is not shown) to the main milk line (not shown), and further in order to prevent contaminations from entering the system, teat cups 1101 and 1102 are covered by flap 1110 and teat cups 1103 and 1104 are covered by flap 1120. It is noted that, although not shown in FIG. 11, another tube leads from teat cup 1103 to the main milkline. According to some embodiments, flaps 1110 and 1120 mechanically lay on top of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104, and are held approximately in their position, e.g., about 90° to the back of vertical teat cup holder 1100, even after the teat cups are withdrawn from the holder, such that teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are easily inserted back into vertical upright holder 1100 when the milking is concluded and are then covered by flaps 1110 and 1120.

As shown in FIG. 11, an angle of about 90° may be formed at the attachment point between each one of tubes 1111, 1112, 1114 and the tube attached to teat cup 1103 (not shown) and the teat cup to which it is attached (a similar approximately 90° angle is presented in FIG. 14, between teat cup 1101 and tube 1441 as well as between teat cup 1102 and tube 1442). This may enable the teat cups to be withdrawn from vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 and to be returned thereto while minimizing entanglement between the various tubes, even though vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 may be positioned towards the back of the animal being milked, not necessarily under or above the animal.

As further shown in FIG. 11, there is a difference in length between teat cups 1101 and 1103 and teat cups 1102 and 1104, wherein teat cups 1101 and 1103 are longer than teat cups 1102 and 1104. In order for the top end of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 to be at the same height, teat cups 1102 and 1104 (the shorter teat cups) sit on step 1130, wherein the height of step 1130 is about the same as the difference in length between short teat cups 1102 and 1104 and long teat cups 1101 and 1103.

As further shown in FIG. 11, vertical teat cup holder 1100 comprises a multiple number of rollers 1140, some of which are not shown in the figure. Rollers 1140 allow teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 to easily move in and out of vertical teat cup holder 1100 by reducing the friction during movement of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 as well as of tubes 1111, 1112, 1114, and the tube connected to teat cup 1103, which is not shown. Accordingly, since friction is reduced, the force necessary for withdrawing the teat cups from the holder and returning them thereto is reduced. It is further noted that rollers 1140 may also aid in moving teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 and tubes 1111, 1112, 1114 and the tube connected to teat cup 1103, along certain paths or trajectories. In addition, rollers 1140 may aid in holding teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 in place in their positions in vertical upright teat cup holder 1100. It is noted that rollers 1140 may be replaced by any appropriate element, such as wheels, ball bearings and the like, that may reduce the friction as detailed herein and possibly aid in holding the teat cups in place.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12, presenting an embodiment of the lengthwise double gripper. As shown in FIG. 12, lengthwise double gripper 1200 includes two gripping units 1201 and 1202, wherein each of gripping units 1201 and 1202 may grip any appropriate object, such as a teat cup, an autonomous pre-milking brush, a post-milking disinfection tool and the like. According to some embodiments, any one of gripping units 1201 and 1202 may grip an object, operate an object, such as press a button, move a lever, rotate a dial and the like, wherein the action of each of the gripping units may independent of the other gripping unit. Thus, according to some embodiments, while gripping unit 1201 performs one type of action, e.g., gripping, gripping unit 1202 may perform the same or a different type of action, e.g., pressing a button.

As shown in FIG. 12, gripping unit 1202 may be longer than gripping unit 1201 in order for the two gripping units to be able to grip two objects at the same time, without those two objects getting in the way of one another.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, mobile unit 1300, comprising arm 1301 that is equipped with lengthwise double gripper 1200, may be positioned under an animal's abdomen, wherein arm 1301 extends between animal's hind legs 1310 towards vertical upright holder 1100 in order to grip teat cups 1101 and 1102, which is positioned behind teat cup 1101, in order to withdraw teat cups 1101 and 1102 from holder 1100 and attach them to teats 1305 and 1306. It is noted that, when attaching the teat cups to the teats, teat cup 1102 will be attached to teat 1306 and only then will teat cup 1101 be attached to teat 1305, such that when arm 1301 moves to attached the second teat cup or retracts towards mobile unit 1300, none of the teat cups will be hindered by the movement of arm 1301.

As shown in FIG. 14, once lengthwise double gripper 1200 reaches vertical upright holder 1100 (not shown), gripping unit 1202 grips teat cup 1102, while gripping unit 1201 grips teat cup 1101. In order to properly maneuver and grip the teat cups (or perform any other required action), lengthwise double gripper 1200 and/or arm 1301 and/or mobile unit 1300 may be equipped with a detection element (not shown), e.g., a laser, an IR sensor or the like. The detection element may have field of detection 1400, through which data is received and may be transmitted, by any appropriate means, to a control system that provides motion instructions to mobile unit 1300 and/or arm 1301, according to the received data. According to some embodiments, tops 1121 and 1122 of teat cups 1101 and 1102, respectively, are designed to be essentially the same height even though bottoms 1131 and 1132 of teat cups 1101 and 1102, respectively are staggered. Accordingly, since tops 1121 and 1122 are at the same height, field of detection 1400 is not hindered by any of the teat cups and therefore, the detection element has “full view” of the area around it.

As shown in FIG. 14, bottoms 1131 and 1132 are staggered, since teat cup 1102 is shorter than teat cup 1101. This enables the two teat cups to be in line, one in back of the other, without tubes 1441 and 1442 hindering one another, so that lengthwise double gripper 1200 may grip both teat cups 1101 and 1102 simultaneously and maneuver them as necessary.

As further shown in FIG. 14, teat cup 1101 comprises two grooves 1401 and 1402 and teat cup 1102 comprises two grooves 1403 and 1404, wherein grooves 1401, 1402, 1403 and 1404 enable lengthwise double gripper 1200 to securely grip the two teat cups, i.e., teat cups 1101 and 1102.

Once teat cups 1101 and 1102 are gripped by lengthwise double gripper 1200, as shown in FIG. 14, they are withdrawn from vertical upright holder 1100 (see FIG. 13) and are maneuvered into the proximity of teats 1305 and 1306 by arm 1301. As shown in FIG. 15, lengthwise double gripper 1200 grips teat cup 1101 with gripping unit 1201 and teat cup 1102 with gripping unit 1202. When attaching the teat cups to the animal, the back teat cup is attached to the back teat before the front teat cup is attached to the front teat, wherein the back and front directions are the same as the back and front directions of the animal. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, first, teat cup 1102 is attached to teat 1306 and is then released from gripper 1202 (it is noted that gripping unit 1202 is not fully shown in FIG. 15 in order to provide a better view of teat cup 1102 and to emphasize that once teat cup 1102 is attached to teat 1306 it is released by gripping unit 1202). After teat cup 1102 is attached to teat 1306, arm 1301 (as shown in FIG. 13) maneuvers teat cup 1101 towards teat 1305, to which it is attached (not shown). Once teat cup 1101 is attached to teat 1305, gripping unit 1201 releases teat cup 1101 and arm 1301 retreats towards mobile unit 1300 and/or is maneuvered to withdraw teat cups 1103 and 1104 (as shown in FIG. 11) from vertical upright teat cup holder 1100, in order to attach teat cups 1103 and 1104 to the two remaining teats (now shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 16, presenting an embodiment of the system including a vertical upright teat cup holder comprising tubes, flaps, axels and a piston. As shown in FIG. 16, system 1600 includes vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 for holding teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104. Mobile unit 1300, positioned under the abdomen of cow 1610 extends arm 1301, comprising lengthwise double gripper 1200, and utilizes lengthwise double gripper 1200 to grip teat cups 1101 and 1102, removing them from under flap 1110 and from vertical upright holder 1100, leaving teat cups 1103 and 1104 under flap 1120 and in vertical upright holder 1100, to be withdrawn therefrom at a later stage.

Each one of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 is attached to tube 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444, respectively, wherein milk entering teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 flows through tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 into the main milk line (not shown). As known in the art, vacuum is provided through tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 in order to milk cow 1610. Once the milking is concluded, teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are released from the teats and returned to vertical upright holder 1100 by any appropriate means. According to some embodiments, teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are released from the teats by release of the vacuum in tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444. According to some embodiments, once teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are released from the teats, they are returned to vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 by a pulling force that pulls them backwards towards vertical teat cup holder 1100. According to some embodiments, all teat cups are pulled together, the teat cups are pulled back in pairs, one by one, or any other appropriate combination. According to some embodiments, piston 1620 provides a puling force for pulling teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 back into vertical upright holder 1100. According to some embodiments, at least one motor (not shown) provides such force. According to some embodiments, teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are pulled back into vertical upright holder 1100 in pairs by two pistons, one of which is not shown, two motors, or the like. According to some embodiments, when teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are returned to vertical upright holder 1100 in pairs, first the back teat cups, i.e., teat cups 1102 and 1104 are returned and then the front teat cups, i.e., teat cups 1101 and 1103 are returned.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17A, presenting the back side view of an embodiment of vertical upright holder 1100, showing tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444, leading from the teat cups to the main milk line (not shown), wherein each pair of tubes is attached a set of axels and wheels. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 17A, tubes 1441 and 1443, which are attached to teat cups 1101 and 1103, respectively, are attached to axel and wheel set 1720, while tubes 1142 and 1144, which are attached to teat cups 1102 and 1104, respectively, are attached to axel and wheel set 1710. Thus, axel and wheel set 1710 aids in returning the back teat cups, i.e., teat cups 1102 and 1104, into vertical upright holder 1100. Once the back teat cups 1102 and 1104 are returned to vertical upright holder 1100, axel and wheel set 1720 aids in returning the front teat cups, i.e., teat cups 1101 and 1103, into vertical upright holder 1100. As mentioned above, any appropriate means, such as a motor, a piston and the like, such as piston 1620 in FIG. 16, may be included in the system in order to move axel and wheel sets 1710 and 1720, as necessary, wherein each axel and wheel set may be coupled to a separate motor, piston or the like. Particularly, according to this embodiment, tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 are pulled on backwards and/or downwards, i.e., in a direction that causes teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 to move away from the animal and back into vertical upright holder 1100. Thus, pulling on tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 essentially returns teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 into vertical upright holder 1100. It is noted that although this particular embodiment is shown, any number of wheels/axels/pistons/motors may be attached to any number of tubes/teat cups.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17B, presenting a front-side view of another embodiment of vertical upright holder 1100, showing manifold 1750 for gathering the milk from the four tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 into vessel 1755, from which a single tube, 1756 leads the milk flowing through the tube to the main milk line (not shown) possibly via any further equipment, such as a milk monitor (not shown). Although not directly shown in FIG. 17B, each one of tubes 1441, 1442, 1443 and 1444 may be attached to each one of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104, possibly via any additional tubes, valves, connecting elements and the like, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 14, 16 and 17A.

As further presented in FIG. 17B, the system of the invention may include two vertical pistons 1730 and 1740, one of which may operate wheel and axel set 1710, while the other may operate wheel and axel set 1720. When operated, e.g., moved vertically by any one of pistons 1730 and 1740, wheel and axel set 1710 may pull on tubes 1442 and 1444, pulling in turn on teat cups 1102 and 1104, thereby returning teat cups 1102 and 1104 into vertical upright teat cup holder 1100. Similarly, when operated, wheel and axel set 1720 may pull on tubes 1441 and 1443, pulling in turn on teat cups 1101 and 1103, thereby returning teat cups 1101 and 1103 into vertical upright teat cup holder 1100.

As detailed herein, pistons 1730 and/or 1740 may be replaced by any suitable motor. Further, as detailed herein, the invention is not bound to comprising two pistons/motors. Any appropriate number may be used in order to operate any appropriate number of wheel and axel sets, wherein the operation of the wheel and axel sets consists essentially of pulling on the tubes leading from teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104, such that teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are pulled back from the animal and returned into vertical upright holder 1100.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17C, presenting a front-side view of an embodiment of the vertical upright teat cup holder 1100, including integrated teat cup and tube separators 1760 and 1770. Integrated teat cup and tube separators 1760 and 1770 are positioned and shaped such that when teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 are returned to vertical upright teat cup holder 1100, the entanglement between the tubes (not shown) leading from each one if teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104, is minimized.

It is noted that vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 may include any number of integrated teat cup and tube separators. In the particular embodiment shown, integrated teat cup and tube separator 1770 is positioned inside vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 between teat cups 1101/1102 and teat cups 1103/1104. Thus, integrated teat cup and tube separator 1770 ensured that each one of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 is returned to its proper position inside vertical upright teat cup holder 1100. Integrated teat cup and tube separator 1770 may be further designed such that the teat cups adjacent thereto are held upright, minimizing their “wobbling” or “rocking” motion within vertical upright teat cup holder 1100.

As shown in FIG. 17C, vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 may include integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760, which protrudes out of vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 and into the stall/ramp (not shown). Integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 may be designed such that entanglement of the tubes (not shown) is minimized. Integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 may be specifically designed to fit the type (size, shape etc.) of tubes used and the type of teat cups used (size, shape, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D, according to some embodiments, integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 is designed approximately as a right angle triangular pyramid, wherein the approximately 90° angle thereof may be adjacent to a bottom end of integrated teat cup and tube separator 1770. When referring to the bottom end of integrated teat cup and tube separator 1770 it is noted that any appropriate region near the bottom of integrated teat cup and tube separator 1770 is also included. According to some embodiments, base length 1763 of the triangular pyramid integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 may have a length of between about 40-120 mm (wherein base length 1763 is defined as the length of the cross section of the pyramid). According to some embodiments, height 1761 of the triangular pyramid integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 may be between about 60-150 mm (wherein height 1761 is defined as the highest line in the cross section, e.g., where separator 1760 is adjacent to separator 1770). According to some embodiments, base width 1762 of the triangular pyramid integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 may be between about 5-20 mm (wherein base width 1762 is the side of the triangular pyramid integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760 that may be adjacent to separator 1770 and that may be at the about 90° angle of the pyramid).

It is noted that although a triangular shape is detailed herein, any other appropriate shape may be used for the integrated teat cup and tube separator 1760, e.g., an approximate triangular or triangular pyramid shape, wherein any one of the sides may be at least slightly curved or wherein any of the vertices may be trimmed, such that an additional, possibly small, side/edge is formed. It is further noted that although two separate integrated teat cup and tube separators 1760 and 1770 are described, one integrated teat cup and tube separator may be included in the system, wherein the single separator may have the approximate shape of the combination of the two integrated teat cup and tube separators 1760 and 1770.

As further shown in FIG. 17C and as detailed regarding FIG. 11, vertical upright teat cup holder 1100 may include any number of rollers 1140, some of which are not shown in the figure. Rollers 1140 allow teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 to easily move in and out of vertical teat cup holder 1100 by reducing the friction during movement of teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 as well as of tubes 1111, 1112, 1114, and the tube connected to teat cup 1103, which is not shown. Accordingly, since friction is reduced, the force necessary for withdrawing the teat cups from the holder and returning them thereto is reduced. It is further noted that rollers 1140 may also aid in moving teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 and tubes 1111, 1112, 1114 and the tube connected to teat cup 1103, along certain paths or trajectories. In addition, rollers 1140 may aid in holding teat cups 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 in place in their positions in vertical upright teat cup holder 1100. It is noted that rollers 1140 may be replaced by any appropriate element, such as wheels, ball bearings and the like, that may reduce the friction as detailed herein and possibly aid in holding the teat cups in place.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18A, presenting an embodiment of non-planar leg separator 1800. As shown in FIG. 16, non-planar leg separator 1800 is positioned on the floor of ramp 1650, between the hind legs of cow 1610, and essentially causes cow 1610 to separate its hind legs, since non-planar leg separator 1800 is uncomfortable for cow 1610 to stand on. As shown in FIG. 18A, non-planar leg separator 1800 includes rods 1810 and cross rods 1820. Although six rods 1819 and four cross rods 1820 are shown in FIG. 18A, it is noted that any appropriate number of rods and cross rods may be used. Further, although all rods and cross rods shown in FIG. 18A are of the same length and diameter, it is noted they may differ from and further, they may be of any appropriate shape, not necessarily rounded rods. The size of the spaces between the rods/cross rods, e.g., space 1830 may also be changed as appropriate. The degree of the arch, as well as the number of arches and their shape may be determined as necessary. It is noted that the leg separator referred to herein is a non-planar leg separator, and therefore, it is referred to as being arched, or including a number of arches. It is further noted that any of the rods and/or cross rods may be on different planes and at different heights in comparison to one another and to the platform on which the non-planar leg separator is positioned, essentially defining the non-planar characteristic of the leg separator, may be described as arches or linear lines or any other shape. It is noted that the arch-like (or other) shape of the non-planar leg separator may be formed by including rods and cross rods of different diameters in the same non-planar leg separator.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18B, presenting non-planar leg separator 1850 comprising middle rods 1860 and end-rods 1870. It is noted that, although no shown, any number of cross bars may be present. It is further noted that non-planar leg separator 1850 may be arched, waved, linearly non-planar or the like, wherein any of middle rods 1860 and end-rods 1870 may be on a different plane and at a different height, in comparison to one another and to the platform on which non-planar leg separator 1850 is positioned. As presented in FIG. 18B, end-rods 1870 may have a diameter larger than the diameter of middle rods 1860. As shown in FIG. 18B, different sections of end rods 1870 may have different diameters, wherein at least one of those sections may have a diameter larger than the diameter of middle rods 1860. Each of the milking stalls may be equipped with a leg separator, e.g., non-planar leg separator 1850. Having end rods of larger diameter may allow the animal to walk over non-planar leg separators 1850, in order to reach the next vacant milking stall; however, once in the milking stall, the large diameter of end rods 1870 may cause the animal to refrain from standing on non-planar leg separator 1850, thus causing the animals legs to be separated, allowing the treatment, including milking, of the animal.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 19A and 19B, presenting embodiments of autonomous pre-milking brush 1900. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 includes two rotating brushes 1901 and 1902, which, upon rotation, may both sanitize and stimulate the teat, which is positioned between rotating brushes 1901 and 1902. As detailed above, rotating brushes 1901 and 1902 may be sprayed, e.g., by an element of the upright teat cup holder, with a disinfectant/water before contact with the teat, possibly a quick acting disinfectant, such that rotating brushes 1901 and 1902 themselves are both sanitized and wet and accordingly sanitize and stimulate the teats with their rotational movement and do not harm the teats since they are wet. According to other embodiments, rotating brushes 1901 and 1902 may be sprayed with disinfectant/water while contacting the teats.

According to some embodiments, the rotation of rotating brushes 1901 and 1902 is activated by switch 1910. According to some embodiments, lengthwise double gripper 1200, as shown e.g., in FIG. 12, grips autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 from its docking station, e.g., on vertical upright holder 1100, and maneuvers it, when necessary, to the animals' teats. According to some embodiments, one of gripping units 1201 or 1202 is utilized to grip and autonomous pre-milking brush 1900, while the second one of gripping units 1201 or 1202 is utilized to press switch 1910, thereby activating rotating brushes 1901 and 1902. Although not shown, any one of gripping units 1201 and 1202 may be utilized to cause disinfectant to be sprayed onto rotating brushes 1901 and 1902, e.g., by pressing a switch on vertical upright holder 1100 or the like. Further, although not shown, autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 includes a battery, e.g., a rechargeable battery, which is recharged when the autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 is placed in its docking station. According to some embodiments, the docking station is water proof.

According to the embodiment presented in FIG. 19A, autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 includes handle 1920, which is designed to be held or gripped by any appropriate means, including any one or both of gripping units 1201 and 1202. According to the embodiment presented in FIG. 19B, autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 includes handle 1930, which is designed to be held or gripped by any appropriate means, such as manually, by a human operator's hand. It is noted that the handle of autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 may be designed such that it may be gripped and used well by any number of means, including mechanical means, such as gripping units 1201 and 1202, as well as manual means, such as a human operator hands.

Reference is now made to FIG. 19C, in which is it shown that, according to some embodiments, autonomous pre-milking brush 1900 includes liquid receptacle 1940. Any type of liquid, e.g., sanitizing liquid or water, may be introduced into liquid receptacle 1940, from where the liquid may be sprayed via, e.g., a nozzle (not shown), onto brushes 1901 and 1902, onto the animal's teats (not shown) or both.

According to some embodiments, switch 1910 may activate the rotation of rotating brushes 1901 and 1902 as well as activating the spraying of liquid from liquid receptacle 1940 onto rotating brushes 1901 and 1902 and/or onto the animal's teats. According to some embodiments, activating switch 1910 once activates both the spraying of the liquid and the rotating of the brushes, either simultaneously or consecutively. According to some embodiments, activating switch 1910 once first activate spraying the liquid onto the brushes/teats and then, after a predetermined time, the brushes begin to rotate.

Further, although not all elements are shown in the Figures, it is noted that the autonomous pre-milking brush may include the following elements: a motor and a rechargeable battery. It is further noted that according to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes a direct drive motor. According to some embodiments, the autonomous pre-milking brush includes a motor for each brush, e.g., when including two brushes, two motors are included as well, wherein each motor operates one brush. According to other embodiments, any number of brushes, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc., may be operated by one motor. According to some embodiments, the motor used is highly durable, provides high speeds, while requiring a relatively low electric current flow. According to some embodiments, the motor is an RC servos motor. According to some embodiments, the operating speed of the motor is between about 70-300 rpm. According to some embodiments, the stall torque of the motor is between about 1-4 Nm.

Further, although not shown in the Figures, switch 1910 may be replaced with any appropriate magnetic sensor. According to some embodiments, the mobile unit, e.g., the arm of the mobile unit or any element on the arm, such as the gripper, may include any appropriate magnetic sensor in order to operate the pre-milking brush.

Reference is now made to FIG. 20, presenting post-milking disinfection tool 2000. As shown, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 comprises dipping chamber 2001, which is filled with a disinfectant (not shown) and filling detection element 2010. According to some embodiments, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 further comprises a brush (not shown), which may be positioned, at least partially, around the entrance of dipping chamber 2001. When post-milking disinfection is required, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 is brought into contact with the animal's teat, wherein post-milking disinfection tool 2000 is pushed up towards the teat, such that the teat is dipped in the disinfectant found in the dipping chamber. If post-milking disinfection tool 2000 includes a brush, the brush may brush the disinfectant on the teat, thereby spreading the disinfectant on the teat. It is noted that post-milking disinfection tool 2000 may be maneuvered manually or by a mobile unit, e.g., being gripped by a gripping element attached to the mobile unit, e.g., lengthwise double gripper 1200, as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 20, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 includes filling detection element 2010, which may detect the amount of disinfectant in dipping chamber 2001, or may simply detect whether dipping chamber 2001 needs to be filled. In the embodiment shown, filling detection element 2010 is a mechanical float the height of which is detected by a sensor, e.g., a laser, on the mobile unit, e.g., on the arm of the mobile unit, e.g., on a gripping element (not shown). If the height of filling detection element 2010 is below a predefined value, the system is alerted that dipping chamber 2001 needs to be filled and therefore, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 is brought to a filling station.

Reference is now made to FIG. 21, presenting an embodiment of filling station 2100. As mentioned above, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 may be maneuvered by a mobile unit, e.g., being gripped by lengthwise double gripper 1200. As shown in FIG. 21, gripping unit 1201 grips post-milking disinfection tool 2000, while gripping unit 1202 presses filling activator 2110, in order to fill dipping chamber 2001 with disinfectant (not shown), which flows through tube 2101. Once the system detects, e.g., by a laser on lengthwise double gripper 1200 (not shown) that filling detection element 2010 reaches a predefined height, the filling is ceased, e.g., by gripping unit 1202 releasing filling activator 2110. Once filled, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 may be maneuvered back to the teat of an animal by the mobile unit and lengthwise double gripper 1200. When the post-milking disinfection is concluded, post-milking disinfection tool 2000 may be stored for further use in filling station 2100, which may further serve as a docking station.

Although not shown in the Figures, it is noted that any of the elements in autonomous pre-milking brush 1900, post milking disinfection tool 2000, filling station 2100, or any other embodiments of a pre-milking brush, a post milking disinfection tool or a filing station, may be activated by magnetic sensors. Each of those elements may include an appropriate magnetic sensor, as may any of the mobile units described herein, including the arm of the mobile unit, the gripper and the like.

Reference is now made to FIG. 22A presenting an embodiment of the rail providing electricity to the mobile unit under wet and unsanitary conditions. As presented in FIG. 22A, rail 2200 includes internal housing 2201, which houses contactors 2210. Gliding cart 2202, also found in internal housing 2201, prepared from a conductive material, is in contact with contactors 2210. Gliding cart 2202 is further in contact with (or is coupled to) mobile unit 2220 (not fully shown) via conductive rod 2203 and therefore, electricity is passed from contactors 2210, through gliding cart 2202 and conductive rod 2203 to mobile unit 2220. As detailed above, mobile unit 2220 comprises a motor that allows mobile unit 2220 to move along rail 2200, wherein gliding cart 2202, attached to mobile unit 2220, is pulled along the rail, inside housing 2201, together with mobile unit 2220.

Further, as detailed above, since rail 2200 is positioned on the floor of the ramp in the milking parlor, i.e., where the animals stand and walk, rail 2200 is designed such that water and contaminations do not come in contact with gliding cart 2202, contactors 2210, conductive rod 2203, or any other electrical elements. Accordingly, exposed electrical elements, such as conductive rod 2203 are securely insulated. Further, the entrance of conductive rod 2203 into internal housing 2201 may be through a rubber stopper 2204 and/or a water block 2205, wherein water block 2205 may have a labyrinth shape, as shown.

In addition, as presented in FIG. 22B, the entrance of conductive rod 2203 into internal housing 2201 may be protected by curtain element 2206. Curtain element 2206 may be prepared from any appropriate flexible material, such as silicone or rubber. Curtin element 2206 may be designed and intended to protect the duct through which conductive rod 2203 passes into rail 2200, possibly including internal housing 2201 and contactors 2210. Thus, curtain 2206 prevents water and contaminations from entering into rail 2200, and contacting the electrical elements found therein. In order for curtain 2206 to be securely fastened against rail 2200, wheels 2207 and 2208 are positioned on both sides of conductive rod 2203, such that they press on curtain 2206, assuring that it is securely fastened against rail 2200.

Gliding cart 2202, which may be coupled to mobile unit 2220 via conductive rod 2203, may be further coupled to mobile unit 2220 via any additional elements, such as coupler 2209, which may be connected to both mobile unit 2220 as well as to gliding cart 2202. Wheels 2207 and 2208 may be attached to both sides of coupler 2209, as presented in FIG. 22B; however, it is noted that any configuration of wheels 2207 and 2208 may be possible, as long as they operate in order to secure curtain 2206 against rail 2200, thereby preventing the entrance of water/contaminations into rail 2200. It is further noted that although wheels are exemplified herein, any other element, such as a roller, or even a strip of any type of firm material may be used to replace any one of wheels 2207 and 2208, as long as water/contaminations are prevented from entering into rail 2200.

According to some embodiments, a zipper element, such as a Ziploc® element may be included in curtain 2206 and/or rail 2200, such that curtain 2206 is secured against rail 2200 by such a zipper element.

Reference is now made to FIG. 23, presenting system 2300, according to an embodiment of the invention in a parallel milking parlor, comprising rail 2315. Rail 2315 comprises parking areas, first parking area 2320 and second parking area 2321. As shown in FIG. 23, second parking area 2321 is beyond barrier 2330 and therefore, when mobile unit 2342 (or any other mobile unit) is found in parking area 2321, there is no possibility of contact thereof with any of the animals in the milking parlor. However, parking area 2320 is not found beyond any barrier and therefore, according to some embodiments, measurements are made in order to ensure that animals entering/exiting the parallel milking ramp or platform do not, even minimally, collide with any of the mobile units, e.g., mobile unit 2341.

According to the embodiment presented in FIG. 23, rail 2315 includes segment 2316, stretching into parking area 2320 as well as segment 2317, stretching into parking area 2321. Since, as mentioned above, no collisions between animals and mobile unit are possible in parking area 2321, such collisions need not be accounted for in parking area 2321 and therefore, segment 2317, which is found in parking area 2321, may be a simple continuation of rail 2315, e.g., in a straight line, as shown in FIG. 23. In contrast, as mentioned above, in parking area 2320 such collisions are theoretically possible and therefore, parking area 2320 and segment 2316 must be designed accordingly, in order to prevent such collisions. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, segment 2316 has an arc-like shape, wherein the parameters of the arc are set such that mobile unit 2341 may easily maneuver along segment 2316 and continue smoothly along the entire length of rail 2315. The parameters of the arc are further set such that the path on which the animals travel when entering/exiting the milking stalls does not intercept the area along segment 2316 on which mobile units, such as mobile unit 2341, may park.

Reference is now made to FIG. 24, presenting hip separator 2400. Hip separator 2400 may be connected to any element in any existing milking parlor, wherein hip separator 2400 is intended to be positioned approximately at the hip height of the animals at the rear end of the milking stall, such that the hips of animals standing in adjacent stalls will be separated from one another. A designated hip separator 2400 may be positioned between every two milking stalls. The shape, dimensions and materials from which hip separator 2400 is prepared may be defined such that the hips of the animals are indeed separated when standing in the milking stalls, while not interfering with the movements of the animals between the milking stalls, e.g., when the animals are entering the milking stalls. According to some embodiments, hip separator 2400 is prepared from a rubber that is flexible enough to allow the animals to walk into the stall, while being rigid enough to ensure that the hips of the animals are separated. According to some embodiments, the position of the hip separator may change according to the occupancy of the milking stalls. For example, when the animals enter the milking stalls, hip separators 2400 may be in a folded position, e.g., folded against the back railing of the milking stalls. Once the animal enters the milking stall, the movement of the animals may mechanically change the position of the hip separators to unfold and be position between the animal in the stall that was just occupied to the next stall in line (similar to the head barriers that separate the stalls from one another). According to other embodiments, sensor that detect the change in position of the animal, i.e., that detect an animal standing in a stall, may electronically send a command causing hip separators 2400 to unfold between the stall that was currently occupied and the next stall in line. Although hip separator 2400 is designed as a “U” shaped element, it is noted that any other appropriate shape or designed may be contemplated.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 25A and 25B, presenting an embodiment of arm 2515, in the non-extended (FIG. 25A) and extended (FIG. 25B) configurations, wherein arm 2515 is attached to gripper 2550. As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B arm 2515 is a telescopic arm that has both a non-extended configuration (FIG. 25A), in which the telescopic element is folded, and an extended configuration (FIG. 25B), in which the telescopic element is unfolded. Extensions 2560 allows gripper 2550 to be positioned on top of the telescopic element of arm 2515, such that the overall length of arm 2515, from left to right, is determined only according to the length of the longest section of the telescopic element, without any addition of length due to gripper 2550. As detailed herein, the compact size of the mobile unit and the arm thereof may allow the mobile unit to move freely under the animals. Therefore, the configuration of arm 2515, including extensions 2560, which allow gripper 2550 to be placed above, rather than beside, arm 2515 in the folded or non-extended configuration, provides an overall compact mobile unit (not completely shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B), that may move freely under the animals as well as throughout the milking parlor.

Reference is now made to FIG. 26, presenting an embodiment of arm 2615 in an extended configuration. As presented in FIG. 26, arm 2615 includes ball screw 2620 and belt 2625, fitted around pulley wheels 2666 and 2667, allowing the extension of arm 2615 to the extended configuration, as presented in FIG. 26. In this respect it is noted that conventional similar telescopic arms, having three telescopic segments, are known in the art to be fitted with two belts and pulleys in order to be fully extended, while according to the embodiment presented in FIG. 26, only one belt 2625, fitted around pulley wheels 2666 and 2667, is utilized, together with ball screw 2615.

Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. 

1. A system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs comprising: a ramp; livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the ramp, wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock; at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat cups connected directly to a main milk line and at least one flap for covering the teat cups; a mobile unit comprising equipment for treating livestock and a processor, the mobile unit configured to: travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy livestock on the ramp; and use the equipment to perform at least one action related to a treatment of the dairy livestock; and wherein the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the teat cups from the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect them to the dairy livestock.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ramp is a rotary milking parlor ramp.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ramp is a parallel milking parlor ramp.
 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the system includes two parallel ramps or more.
 5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a parking area configured to contain parked mobile units.
 6. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one vertical upright teat cup holder is positioned in line with a space between the hind legs of said dairy livestock.
 7. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a milking pit adjacent to the ramp, wherein at least one vertical upright teat cup holder is positioned, at least partially, in the milking pit.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system does not include pressure valves for controlling pressure in the teat cups.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the arm is further configured to remove the teat cups from the dairy livestock, after which they are returned to the vertical upright teat cup holder.
 10. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a milking pit, wherein the mobile unit is configured such that it does not enter the milking pit or does not extend the arm into the milking pit.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a stretching along at least part of the ramp, and wherein the mobile unit is configured to travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy livestock on the ramp and along the rail.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the rail provides electricity to the mobile unit under wet and unsanitary conditions and wherein the rail comprises an internal housing that houses contactors and a gliding cart in contact with the contactor, wherein said gliding cart is prepared from a conducting material and is coupled to the mobile unit via a conductive rod.
 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said teat cups comprise a double groove.
 14. A vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat cups, wherein the teat cups comprise holes in which the teats are positioned, and in which the teat cups are positioned vertically upright in the teat cup holder, such that the holes in which the teats are positioned face upwards.
 15. The vertical upright teat cup holder according to claim 14, wherein the vertical upright teat cup holder comprises at least one flap for covering the holes, such that the teat cups are connected directly to the main milk line through tubes that do not include pressure valves for controlling pressure in the teat cups.
 16. The vertical upright teat cup holder according to claim 14, wherein the vertical teat cup holder further comprises at least one integrated teat cup and tube separator that protrudes out of the vertical upright teat cup holder.
 17. The vertical upright teat cup holder according to claim 14, wherein the vertical teat cup holder further comprises a manifold attached to tubes leading milk from the teat cups as well as to a tube leading into a main milk line.
 18. A teat cup assembly comprising at least a first teat cup and at least a second teat cup, wherein there is a difference in length between the first teat cup and the second teat cup.
 19. The teat cup assembly according to claim 18, wherein the teat cups comprise a double groove.
 20. An autonomous pre-milking brush comprising: at least two brushes; at least one motor; a rechargeable battery; a charging slot; a handle; a switch; a nozzle; and a liquid reservoir. 